The Siemens Charger locomotive has begun operating on New York’s Metro-North commuter rail network as of September 22. The SC42-DM locomotives are designed to run on both diesel and third-rail power, making them a significant upgrade to the existing fleet. They will gradually replace the hybrid P32AC-DM locomotives built by General Electric in the 1990s, which can only operate on electric power for a limited 6.5km section of the line.
In contrast, the new SC42-DM locomotives can draw power from the third rail across the entire 160km Metro-North network. When operating on third-rail power, the maximum speed is 128 km/h. On sections of the route without third-rail power, the locomotives switch to diesel mode, which has an output of 3.1 MW and meets the Tier 4 emissions standard. The maximum speed in diesel mode is 177 km/h.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has ordered a total of 33 SC42-DM locomotives from Siemens Mobility, with contracts worth $414 million. The deliveries are scheduled to be completed by 2027 from Siemens’ Sacramento plant. The introduction of the new locomotives is expected to improve the efficiency and reliability of the Metro-North network.
The SC42-DM locomotives offer several advantages over the existing fleet, including increased flexibility and reduced emissions. The ability to operate on both diesel and third-rail power allows for a more efficient use of energy, reducing the reliance on diesel fuel and minimizing the environmental impact. The new locomotives are also designed to meet the latest emissions standards, ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for passengers and communities along the route.
As the new locomotives continue to be delivered and integrated into the network, passengers can expect to see improvements in the overall service, including increased reliability and reduced journey times. The introduction of the SC42-DM locomotives is a significant step forward for the Metro-North network, and is expected to play a key role in shaping the future of commuter rail travel in the region.