September 26, 2023
Locomotives

More Siemens SC-42DMs for Metro-North

Written by Railway Age Staff

At Metro-North, six new SC-42DM dual-mode (diesel-electric/third-rail) Charger locomotives will replace GE P32AC-DMs, which have either reached or exceeded their projected 25-year lifespan. (Siemens Mobility Photograph)

Siemens Mobility on Sept. 26 reported that it will supply six additional SC-42DM dual-mode (diesel-electric/third-rail) Charger locomotives to MTA Metro-North Railroad, building on an initial 27-unit order placed in 2020 for the New York-Connecticut commuter railroad. The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) is funding these six.

The new power will replace GE P32AC-DMs, which have either reached or exceeded their projected 25-year lifespan, said Siemens, which noted the original contract encompasses, with all options, a total of up to 171 SC-42DMs for Metro-North, MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), the latter for Amtrak Empire Corridor service into Penn Station New York. They will be built in Siemens’ Sacramento, Calif., facility to the current EPA Tier IV standards for operation in the Park Avenue Tunnel and on third-rail territory across the state of New York. The new locomotives are to be delivered progressively through 2027.

Metro-North’s base order was for 19 units, expanded to 27 (all funded by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority/MTA) with exercise of a first option. This second option brings the total to 33. Options remain to purchase 32 additional units, along with 14 more for ConnDOT, 25 for NYSDOT and 60 for LIRR.

The SC-42DM is rated at 4,200 hp in diesel-electric mode with a Cummins QSK95 prime-mover, and a maximum speed of 110 mph (diesel) or 80 mph (electric). Additionally, they are slated to “substantially reduce” CO2, PM (particulate matter) and NOX (oxides of nitrogen) emissions, contributing to MTA and Metro-North sustainability efforts, Siemens said.

“With our Siemens Mobility North American headquarters in the heart of New York City, we’re excited that these sustainable locomotives will transport millions of passengers a year, including our own employees,” said Michael Cahill, President of Rolling Stock, Siemens Mobility North America. “This order continues to build on our relationship with the MTA, which includes not only delivering sustainable locomotives, but also world class signaling and rail automation technologies.”