Service firm STV has been selected by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Metro-North Railroad to provide both engineering and procurement support for a new fleet of battery electric locomotives.
As part of the contract, STV will carry out design reviews, test coverage and vehicle inspection services.
The new locomotives are modelled after Siemens Mobility’s Charger SC42-DM dual-powered locomotives, which STV is also supporting. The vehicles will be among the first battery electric passenger rail vehicles to enter service within the United States, and will form part of a new service introducing Metro-North’s New Haven Line directly to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan.
John Batey, PE, Vice President of Vehicle Engineering at STV, said:Our intimate experience with MTA and Metro-North’s vehicle fleet, specifically the SC42-DM locomotives, has helped deliver this cutting-edge innovative solution for the agency.
In addition to providing more convenient access to New York City from Connecticut and Westchester County, these new locomotives will provide riders with a cleaner, greener option.
The purchase of 13 battery and electric-powered locomotives serves as an addition to Metro-North’s current contract with STV to procure 33 dual-mode locomotives from Siemens. The new locomotives will draw from overhead catenary power and be capable of switching to a battery mode for tracks both in and around Penn Station, which used electrical traction power.
