Tri-Rail regional/commuter rail service operator South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) has ordered seven Charger diesel-electric locomotives from Siemens Mobility as additions to its fleet. Expected to enter service in 2029, these locomotives will be Tri-Rail’s first Siemens Chargers and are expected to enable full access to MiamiCentral Station.
The new units will replace SFRTA’s aging fleet of six EMD GP49H-3 units, “enabling Tri-Rail to retire older equipment and enhance service quality for riders,” the agency said. They will be operating along the 73.5-mile corridor linking Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, as well as the additional 8-mile stretch on the Florida East Coast (FEC) Corridor to access MiamiCentral which “requires rail equipment that meets specific operational and compliance requirements to access the station.”
The procurement, funded through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), “recognizes Siemens Mobility as the only manufacturer capable of providing locomotives that comply with SFRTA’s operational needs and regulatory requirements,” SFRTA said. “The Charger (equipped with a Cummins QSK-95 prime-mover) is EPA Tier 4 compliant and recognized as the diesel-electric locomotive with the lowest emissions in North America. By modernizing its fleet, SFRTA is reinforcing its role as a vital complement to South Florida’s intercity rail network, offering an affordable, dependable, and modern transit alternative for commuters.”
“These new locomotives represent a major step forward in modernizing Tri-Rail’s fleet and strengthening the reliability of our service for the riders who depend on us every day,” said Dave Dech, SFRTA Executive Director. “This investment supports our long-term vision for safer, more efficient commuter rail system, and positions Tri-Rail for continued growth.”
“On behalf of the entire Siemens Mobility team, we are honored that SFRTA has chosen our … technology to power Tri‑Rail’s next chapter,” said Tobias Bauer, CEO of Siemens Mobility North America, who dubbed the locomotives as “American Made.” “With our Charger locomotives, riders will benefit from modern performance and improved access, including service into MiamiCentral.” The Buy America-compliant locomotives will be built at the Siemens Mobility rail manufacturing hub in Sacramento, Calif. SFRTA, Siemens added, “joins the more than 35 transit agencies across North America benefiting from Siemens Mobility’s portfolio of rail vehicles, locomotives, components and automation systems. [U.S.] cities also rely on Siemens to provide traction-power substations and electricity transmission, as well as signaling and control technology for freight and passenger rail and transit systems.”
