New trains may be en route
State has option to purchase 26 dual mode locomotives
The board of the Metropolitan Transportation
Authority is expected to approve a contract for at least 19 new locomotives from Siemens Mobility Inc. when it meets Wednesday, opening the way for other agencies, including the New York State Department of Transportation, to exercise their options to purchase their own locomotives to replace equipment operating beyond its expected life span.
The state DOT option for 26 so-called dual mode locomotives would allow it to replace a fleet of aging General Electric locomotives purchased in the 1990s. DOT’S dual mode locomotives are designed to operate either with diesel power or with electric power drawn from a third rail, which they use to travel through the tunnels into New York City ’s Penn Station without emitting diesel exhaust.
Meanwhile, Amtrak has
begun receiving new single-level passenger cars built by Siemens for routes in the Midwest and in California.
Illinois’ Department of Transportation has received its first cars, which likely will replace aging Amfleet cars that are now more than 40 years old.
New York’s Empire Corridor trains also operate the Amfleet cars, which for many years were the backbone of Amtrak’s system in much of the country. Bruce Becker of the Empire State Passengers Association estimated that about 60 cars are used to provide the service in New York and on routes into Vermont and Canada.
The new Amtrak passenger cars are similar to those used by the privately operated Brightline passenger trains in Florida. Siemens touts the cars’ wide aisles, power outlets, Wi-fi throughout the trains and other passenger amenities.
New York’s DOT worked with the MTA to develop “a common specification for these locomotives as they also operate in Metro North territory,” said DOT spokesman Joe Morrissey. “Our overarching goal is to harmonize this equipment throughout the Empire Corridor.
“Discussions with Amtrak are ongoing,” Morrissey added. “Any purchase by the State would be subject to the standard state approval process.”
The MTA received a federal grant to help cover the $334.9 million cost of its locomotives. It’s not clear how New York might pay for its locomotives, although the new administration, thought to be more supportive of passenger rail, might help financially.
New York could also lease the equipment or pay for it over time.
“New York state separately would have to come up with funding,” said John V, “Jack” Madden, senior project engineer — transportation, with engineering services firm Erdman Anthony & Associates.
It’s not clear how quickly the new equipment might arrive. MTA’S first locomotives could take as long as 50 months to arrive, according to a board document.
Siemens is currently working on an order from Amtrak. “It’s certainly possible New York state, Amtrak and Metro-north might work out something to slip some units into the order,” Madden said.