News & Reviews News Wire Metro-North introduces Siemens dual-mode locomotives

Metro-North introduces Siemens dual-mode locomotives

By Trains Staff | November 2, 2024

First two units in 33-locomotive order expected to enter service early in 2025

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Three-quarters view of blue and silver passenger locomotive
Metro-North introduced its first Siemens Charger dual-mode locomotives on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the Harmon shops. MTA Metro-North Railroad

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%.

Maintenance workers looking at new locomotive in shop building
Metro-North maintenance employees participate in the first familiarization training class for the new Siemens Charger locomotives. MTA Metro-North Railroad

“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.

Side view of blue and silver locomotive with red trim stripe
The SC42-DM is the first dual-mode version of the Charger. MTA Metro-North Railroad

10 thoughts on “Metro-North introduces Siemens dual-mode locomotives

  1. Let’s recall that dual-powered locomotives are nothing new to New York commuter operations. Since the early 1900s, the main concern was diesel emissions inside the tunnels that led to Grand Central Terminal and Pennsylvania Station.

    Dr. Güntürk Üstün

  2. These gorgeous “iron horses” are hard to beat. Bravo Siemens Mobility North America! Bravo Metro-North Railroad! Meanwhile, the retirement bells are ringing real fast for the veteran GE P32AC-DMs.

    Dr. Güntürk Üstün

  3. Why do DM P32s operate using 3rd rail only in the tunnels around Penn Station? Are they speed limited when running off 3rd rail and the new Siemens units aren’t?

    1. Oops – I should have said tunnel into Grand Central and not Penn Station. I’m confusing Amtrak P32s with MN P32s!

    2. When operating on third-rail you have continuous voltage feeding your inverter. The original inverters on the P32 were limited with what they could do with that voltage and standard practice with the FL9s was third-rail operation in the tunnels only. So, on third-rail speed was limited to something far less than MAS. The dual-mode Chargers have an inverter package light years ahead of anything else out there and should be able to run on third-rail on the full range of throttle settings.

    3. In other words, it isn’t a speed limit that limits the speed of the P32 units on electric, but a capability to make speed. (A limitation the new engines won’t suffer from)

  4. 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.

    1. Yeah, I was wondering the same thing. Article is lacking in detail information that we could use.

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