BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has issued a Request for Proposals for battery-electric and Tier 4 diesel locomotives as part of its efforts to modernize its equipment fleet and upgrade regional rail service.
The RFP, released today (Feb. 25) and available here, is part of a procurement coordinated with the Maryland Transit Administration. It calls for 10 battery-electric locomotives and 10 Tier 4 diesels to replace its GP40 and F40 diesels, with options for up to 50 additional units. Maryland would receive five battery-electric locomotives to replace its HHP8 units in MARC service, with options for up to 23 more locomotives. Bids are due June 10, with the contract to be awarded this summer.
“A modernized and reliable regional rail system has been talked about for a long time, and now we are taking action with this significant first step of procuring battery-electric locomotives,” Phillip Eng, MBTA general manager and interim Massachusetts DOT secretary, said in a press release. “… Critical to not only continuing to deliver the levels of service needed today, this procurement also helps us build a system that can meet the needs of future generations.”
The battery-electric locomotives are intended for initial use on the commuter rail Providence Line, which has existing catenary infrastructure. The diesels will be for use on non-electrified lines.
Said Gov. Maura Healey, “Battery electric trains mean quicker trips, quieter trains, and more reliable service, especially for the communities that depend on Regional Rail every day.”
The MBTA says the new units will help improve air quality, and will improve reliability by replacing aging equipment that is more prone to mechanical failures.
— To report news or errors, contact trainsnewswire@firecrown.com.
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…I’m confused. Why is MARC trying to replace overhead-electric locomotives with battery ones? Why does MBTA want to run battery locomotives under wire? Will they be charged via the catenary at select stops/endpoints, or only at start and end of day?
I have a sneaking suspicion that this is related to Amtrak’s fees for catenary access and power consumption, similar to how CDOT is looking at returning Shore Line East to diesel trainsets.
Jumping through every conceivable hoop to avoid stringing catenary.
How the battery electrics will be recharged will be very important. Keeping them charged all day long would make for much quicker turns. Otherwise long delays at terminals might be the result.