A fleet of new Siemens Charger locomotives received last year for testing by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) have now officially begun passenger service on Metro-North Railroad’s Hudson Line.

The new 4,200-horsepower SC42-DM locomotives entered service yesterday (22 September) and provide 1,000 more horsepower than the line’s previous fleet.

The new locomotives are expected to reduce pollutants by up to 85%

© Metropolitan Transit Authority

Built in compliance with Tier IV of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s vehicle emission standards; the new units will also be capable of travelling further than the previous fleet of locomotives, the GE P32s, which operated solely on electric power only in tunnels in and out of Grand Central Terminal (4 miles in total).

The new units can operate in electric mode for the entirety of Metro-North’s third rail territory, which extends 102 miles to Croton-Harmon on the Hudson Line, Southeast on the Harlem Line, and Pelham on the New Haven Line.

Governor Kathy Hochul said:

Metro North is charging into the future with faster, greener, and more reliable locomotives.

There is no better way to kick off climate week than by further enhancing the emissions-reducing power of mass transit. I will always be a champion for New York’s commuters, and by modernizing our Metro-North fleet, tens of thousands of riders every single day will have a smoother, faster ride.

The locomotives were built by Siemens Mobility in Sacramento, California under a 414 million USD contract awarded by Metro-North in 2021. They are capable of operating on both diesel-electric and third-rail electric power, allowing them to run across all of Metro-North’s non-electrified lines as well as switch to electric power for electrified routes, including in Grand Central Terminal.

Delivery of the units is planned to continue through 2027.

Rolling Stock Siemens Mobility North America President, Tobias Bauer, said:

Today marks a proud milestone for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro North Railroad, Siemens Mobility, and for rail innovation in America. The Charger locomotives entering revenue service are more than just trains, they represent our shared commitment to modern and reliable transportation for millions of passengers.

Built right here in the U.S., these locomotives combine cutting-edge technology with proven performance, and we’re honoured to celebrate this moment alongside our partners at the MTA at Grand Central Terminal.

Purchase of the new locomotives was funded by as part of the MTA’s 2015-19 and 2020-24 Capital Plans, as well as funds from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

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