BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has asked Amtrak about the possibility of leasing electric locomotives for testing on its commuter rail service, the Boston Globe reports.
Joseph Aiello, chairman of the Fiscal and Management Control Board that oversees the MBTA, mentioned the request at recent event, but an MBTA spokesman said the discussion is in its early stages.
“The Authority has had preliminary discussions with Amtrak about leasing electric locomotives,” spokesman Joe Pesaturo told the Globe. “The scope of such a pilot and the equipment needed to operate it is yet to be determined.” The paper reported that Amtrak would not confirm that discussions had taken place.
The MBTA’s commuter trains are diesel powered, even on electrified lines. Officials are reviewing whether some or all lines could be converted to electrified service as part of a study of the commuter system.
