The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), an agency providing public transportation in the New York City metropolitan area, recently selected New York-based STV, a professional services firm that plans, designs and manages infrastructure projects, to provide engineering and procurement support for MTA’s new battery electric locomotives.
The locomotives will be part of a new service that will bring Metro-North’s New Haven Line directly to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan. They are among the first battery electric passenger rail vehicles in the United States. STV is performing design reviews, test coverage and vehicle inspection services.
“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,” John Batey, STV vice president of vehicle engineering, said. “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.”
Metro-North purchased 13 battery and electric-powered locomotives as an add-on to an existing contract with STV to procure 33 dual-mode locomotives from Siemens. The purchase is part of a transportation industry trend to provide more economical and environmentally-friendly options to commuters.
The locomotives will draw from overhead catenary power before switching to battery mode in and around Penn Station.