The 512-mile Metrolink system providing passenger-rail services in several southern California counties – Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura – has embarked on a program to upgrade and modernize its fleet of motive power by acquiring locomotives built to Tier 4 standards – the highest operating standards for diesel locomotives as it relates to prime mover (engine) performance in general, and in regard to emissions control and fuel efficiency, specifically.
“The EMD F125 is compliant with the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act’s (PRIIA) 305-005 Next Generation locomotive specifications, and meets or exceeds all of Metrolink’s requirements for procuring highly-reliable, fuel-efficient locomotives for passenger rail service,” Progress Rail Services Corporation in its “Electro-Motive re-enters passenger locomotive market with contract to supply Los Angeles area with first new Tier 4 passenger locomotives in North America” press release stated. “In addition, the locomotives reduce emissions over the current Tier 0 fleet by more than 85 percent, per the U.S. EPA’s Tier 4 emissions standards for new diesel locomotives” and can operate as fast as 125 miles per hour.
“EMD’s 4,700 horsepower F125 locomotive,” meanwhile, “consists of a streamlined Vossloh Rail Vehicles (VRV) designed monocoque (or single shell) carbody with one control cab equipped with Crash Energy Management; a turbocharged, 20-cyclinder; 4-stroke Cat® C-175 20 diesel engine; an AC traction propulsion system; VRV high-speed running gear; inverter controlled head end power and all the accessories necessary for single and multiple unit operation suitable for commuter and intercity service. EMD plans to assemble the locomotives at its Muncie facility in Indiana,” the locomotive builder in the release added.
Furthermore, noted Progress Rail Services Corporation, “[t]he F125 includes an SCR-only after-treatment system to meet U.S. EPA Tier 4 emissions standards. Equipped with an electronic fuel injection system, a Cat® C175 series diesel engine provides exceptional train acceleration advantages, compared to other less powerful locomotive products or older technologies, while maintaining Tier 4 emissions performance.” EMD is an acronym for Electro-Motive Diesel while SCR stands for Selective Catalytic Reduction.
The 20 locomotives to supplant older Metrolink locomotives should improve overall motive power reliability markedly lowering the likelihood of mechanical failure while at work.
Finally, up to five F-59 Metrolink locomotives will be donated “for alternative fuels research and development programs in hopes of realizing emissions-free commuter rail operations in the future,” this as part of the Southern California Regional Rail Authority’s “locomotive procurement and its commitment to clean air,” Progress Rail Services Corporation in the release in question offered.
Department of corrections: EMD was stated to be the acronym for Electro-Motive Division. Text has since been revised to reflect correction.
Published by Alan Kandel