New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has completed a modernisation project at Metro-North Railroad’s Croton-on-Hudson hub.
The successful conclusion of this multi-year upgrade project was announced by Governor Kathy Hochul.
The centrepiece of this endeavour is the newly inaugurated Harmon Shop, spanning 400,000 square feet. This facility will improve the reliability of train services and will cater to the operational maintenance requirements of the Metro-North Railroad.
“Today’s announcement builds on our commitment to ensuring our transit systems remain safe, effective and rider-friendly. These upgrades are investments for the railroad to operate reliably for the public, with trains arriving on time and with enough cars to carry all the passengers who want to ride.”
This project was funded with a combination of state and federal resources.
Work was completed in five phases, with the final phase including the construction of a state-of-the-art facility housing repair and support shops. Equipped with advanced amenities such as car hoists, pedestal tracks, and streamlined parts distribution systems, this facility will help enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Metro-North’s maintenance operations.
Indeed, the site will allow Metro-North to perform its Reliability Centered Maintenance programme and account for unscheduled repairs on its entire electric fleet.
Phase 1 saw crews build service tracks, a new employee overpass, and provide wayside power to the yard to significantly reduce the idling engines.
Phase 2 involved the construction of Communication & Maintenance of Way buildings, alongside modifications to the Material Distribution Center.
In Phase 3, crews built a new Coach Shop and a new Locomotive Shop, as well as a new Wheel True Facility with a Tandem Underfloor Wheel Lathe for Metro-North’s fleet of M-7 self-propelled electric railcars.
Phase 4 included priority repairs on the multi-purpose building, as well as the construction of a new Wheel Storage Canopy in the north yard.
Phase 5 provided the complete replacement of the multi-purpose building in two stages. At first, a new double-ended Consist Shop, with two tracks each ten cars long, was constructed. The second stage included the construction of the EMU Running Repair and Support shops.
“The Harmon Yard is the heart of Metro-North's operations, and the timing of this project completion could not be better. Metro-North is currently in the middle of an impressive streak – four straight years with an on-time performance of at least 97 percent. Now, with a completed Harmon Yard, the railroad can continue to deliver exceptional service to the tens of thousands daily riders.”
