Big news for Westchester residents and Metro-North commuters: Metro-North is going through a major, albeit positive, transformation. Metro-North is a commuter railroad operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) that covers five lines, three branch lines, and serves a total of 124 stations in New York and Connecticut. Not only is it known for the scenic views (especially on the Hudson Line), but it’s also a reliable mode of transportation for both daily commuters and travelers.
On September 22, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that new Siemens Charger locomotives have begun passenger service on the Hudson Line during the start of Climate Week NYC. These new locomotives will create faster passenger service for reliable transportation by producing 1,000 more horsepower than the current fleet and reducing airborne pollutants by 85 percent.
“Metro-North is charging into the future with faster, greener, and more reliable locomotives,” says Governor Hochul. “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,” Hochul notes.
View this post on Instagram
In 2021, Metro–North placed an order with Siemens Mobility for 27 Dual Mode Charger locomotives, known by the model number SC42-DM, which operate on both diesel-electric and third-rail electric power. This capability allows the locomotives to run on all Metro-North’s non-electrified lines and switch to electric power for electrified routes, including Grand Central Terminal. The locomotives are manufactured at the Siemens Mobility rolling stock facility in Sacramento, California and are being delivered to Metro-North through 2027.
Last year, the MTA received the 4,200-Horsepower Siemens Charger locomotives for testing. The locomotives will be able to travel farther under electric power than the current fleet (the GE P32s), which operates under electric power only in the tunnels in and out of Grand Central Terminal — this distance is only four miles.
View this post on Instagram
“Transit is already the antidote to climate change, and it’s only getting cleaner and greener as we replace Metro-North’s aging diesel fleet with top-of-the-line diesel-electric locomotives,” shares MTA chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “These are just the first of many new trains to come as part of the MTA Capital Plan’s $11 billion investment in new rolling stock,” Lieber adds.
The new locomotives can operate in electric mode for 102 miles of Metro-North’s third rail territory, which extends to Croton-Harmon on the Hudson Line, Southeast on the Harlem Line, and Pelham on the New Haven Line. The new locomotives will improve emissions and reduce noise pollution in densely populated areas across New York State. They are also compliant with Tier IV of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s vehicle emission standards.
View this post on Instagram
“These locomotives are key to our transition to a faster and cleaner fleet in the coming years. Like everything we do at Metro-North, this is all possible thanks to the hard work of our employees,” says Metro-North president Justin Vonashek. Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins adds, “Investing in clean, reliable transportation is an investment in our communities, and our future.”
Related: These Innovative Westchester Businesses Were Featured by INC.
