New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) recently placed a $386 million follow-on order with Pittsburgh-based Wabtec Corp., an equipment and rail services provider, for an additional R255 hybrid battery-diesel work locomotives.
The agreement includes locomotives and spare parts. Wabtec will build the R255s in Erie and start with deliveries in 2027.
The R255s will replace aging equipment and are part of MTA’s plan to modernize the city’s transit network infrastructure and provide safe and efficient transit solutions.
“The success of the R255 hybrid locomotive is a tribute to the strong working relationship between Wabtec and the MTA,” Alan Hamilton, Wabtec vice president of engineering, said. “Our collaboration positioned this locomotive as the ideal solution to maintain the subway system efficiently and reliably.”
The R255 incorporates cameras and video recorders to capture images of the track, lineside assets, and signaling equipment and features onboard diagnostics that support smart maintenance practices.
In addition, the locomotive can improve the working conditions, especially in tunnels and during extended periods at a work site. Its battery power operations can eliminate emissions during subway construction, maintenance, and repairs.
The approximately 500-kilowatt hour locomotives can work in “battery only” mode for several hours and can move work trains when the third rail power is deenergized.