CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Friday introduced the first of its newest locomotive for Metro-North Railroad, a dual-power variant of the Siemens Charger.
Siemens SC42-DM locomotives Nos. 301 and 302, the first of 33 units, were unveiled in a ceremony at the Harmon Shops in Croton-on-Harmon.
The locomotives feature a 4,200-hp diesel for operation in non-electrified territory, but will be able to operate on third-rail electric power much farther than the General Electric P32AC-DM units they will replace, the MTA says. While the P32s operate on electric power only in the 4-mile tunnel to Grand Central Terminal, the Chargers are expected to operate on electric power over the entire 102 miles of Metro-North third-rail territory. The Tier 4-complient engines are projected to reduce pollutants by more than 85%.
“These beautiful new locomotives are part of creating the best customer experience every day on every ride on Metro-North and reaffirm our commitment to run the most reliable service possible,” Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi said in a press release. “Taking public transportation is one of the best ways to address climate change, and I look forward to the environmental benefits that will result when these locomotives go into service early next year.”
The two locomotives introduced Friday are the first of a fleet that will eventually number 33 units, 27 of which were funded by the MTA and six by the Connecticut Department of Transportation. That breakdown reflects the level of service on the diesel segments of the MTA system.
“As the first dual mode offering from Siemens Mobility in North America, these locomotives for Metro-North are a sustainable alternative to transform rail in New York,” said Siemens Mobility North America CEO Marc Buncher. “… I look forward to seeing these modern, sustainable and innovative locomotives connecting passengers across the New York Metropolitan Region and Connecticut.”
The locomotives are built by Siemens in Sacramento, Calif., under a $414 million contract awarded in 2021 [see “Digest: Metro-North set to buy dual-mode locomotives …,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 14, 2020]. The first phase of their testing was conducted at the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colo.; the second phase will take place on Metro-North.
Wonder if they designed it with shoes that can also work on over-running third rail so it can go down Empire line into Penn in a pinch or if service ever gets going over Hell Gate Bridge.