MTA Metro-North Railroad has debuted the first two of 33 SC44-DM (Siemens Charger, 4,400-hp, dual-mode) locomotives that will upgrade and replace its existing GE P32-DM fleet on trains serving Poughkeepsie, Southeast, Danbury and Waterbury. Siemens Mobility, Inc., Sacramento, Calif., is building the new fleet under a $414 million contract awarded by Metro-North in March 2021. STV, Inc. is providing procurement, design reviews, test coverage and vehicle inspection services.
The SC42-DMs will operate much farther under third-rail electric power—102 miles—than the P32-DMs, which operate under electric power only in the four miles in the tunnel in and out of Grand Central Terminal. Metro-North’s third-rail territory extends to Croton-Harmon, Southeast and Pelham. The new units, equipped with Cummins QSK-95 diesel engines, are EPA Tier IV compliant, reducing airborne pollutants by more than 85% while operating in diesel mode.
Commensurate with levels of service in Metro-North’s diesel territory, 27 of the locomotives are funded by the MTA and six are funded by the Connecticut Department of Transportation. These first two are expected to be placed into passenger service in early 2025. The arrival of these first two locomotives, Nos. 301 and 302, “is a significant milestone in the new locomotives program, marking the second phase of the locomotive qualification testing,” Metro-North said. Phase 1 took place at TTC Operated by ENSCO, Pueblo, Colo., where overall dynamic performance was validated. In Phase 2, performances will be tested in the Metro-North operating environment.
“Enhanced reliability is made possible by new state-of-the-art monitoring and diagnostic systems that allow crews to spot any possible problems quickly,” said MTA Chief of Rolling Stock Programs Tim Mulligan. “These are the first of many new locomotives that will further improve Metro-North’s service and reliability. Replacing our rolling stock is a major priority of the 2025–2029 Capital Plan, and we’re using innovative methods in a competitive market to purchase 2,000 new railcars across the MTA.”
“These beautiful new locomotives are part of creating the best customer experience every day on every ride on Metro-North and reaffirm our commitment to run the most reliable service possible,” said Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi. “Taking public transportation is one of the best ways to address climate change, and I look forward to the environmental benefits that will result when these locomotives go into service early next year.”
The SC42-DM’s distinctive livery is based on one created by industrial designer Cesar Vergara for the P32-DM (a dual-mode variant of the P42 and P32 “Genesis” locomotive originally designed by Vergara for Amtrak in the mid-1990s). The scheme has been dubbed “Air Force One” because it resembles that of the Boeing 747 that transports the President of the United States.
“As the first dual-mode offering from Siemens Mobility in North America, these locomotives for Metro-North are a sustainable alternative to transform rail in New York,” said Marc Buncher, CEO, Siemens Mobility North America. “With our partners at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro-North Railroad, and our Siemens Mobility team across the country, including our team in New York City, I look forward to seeing these modern, sustainable and innovative locomotives connecting passengers across the New York Metropolitan Region and Connecticut.”
