New, American-Made Locomotives Begin Service on Metro-North Railroad

New 4,200-horsepower, American-made Siemens Charger locomotives received last year for testing by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) have begun passenger service on Metro-North Railroad’s Hudson Line. These new locomotives provide passengers with more reliable service while reducing airborne pollutants by 85 percent, all while producing 1,000 more horsepower than the current fleet.

“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,” said 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.”

The new locomotives are able to travel farther under electric power than the current fleet of locomotives, the GE P32s, which operate under electric power only in the tunnels in and out of Grand Central Terminal, a distance of four miles. The new locomotives can operate in electric mode the entire 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 are compliant with Tier IV of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s vehicle emission standards, significantly improving emissions and noise pollution in densely populated areas across the State of New York.

Enhanced reliability is made possible by ultramodern monitoring and diagnostic systems that allow crews to spot and fix issues quickly.

“Metro-North couldn’t be more excited to bring these powerful, reliable, and green locomotives to our railroad. With these on time, on budget, and American-made locomotives, we are making a significant, long-term investment in the service we provide,” said Metro-North Railroad President Justin Vonashek. “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.”

In 2021, the MTA’s Metro-North Railroad placed an order with Siemens Mobility for 27 Dual Mode Charger locomotives, known by the model number SC42-DM. These locomotives operate on both diesel-electric and third-rail electric power, enabling them to run on all of Metro-North’s non-electrified lines and switch to electric power for electrified routes, including in Grand Central Terminal. These locomotives are being manufactured at the Siemens Mobility rolling stock facility in Sacramento, CA, and delivered to Metro-North through 2027.

“This marks a proud milestone for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro North Railroad, Siemens Mobility, and for rail innovation in America,” said Rolling Stock Siemens Mobility North America President Tobias Bauer. “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.”

The purchase of these new Siemens Charger locomotives was funded by MTA’s 2015-19 and 2020-24 Capital Plans, along with funding from FTA.

“This upgrade to Metro-North’s rolling stock is a transformative investment in cleaner air and more reliable service for Hudson Valley commuters and visitors,” said Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY). “That’s a win for Hudson Valley families and that’s a win for the environment. I’ll always fight for investments that improve the rider experience and protect our precious environment.”