USA: Faster ’super-express’ services have started running on the 120 km Hudson Line between Poughkeepsie and New York’s Grand Central Terminal. MTA Metro-North Railroad introduced the accelerated commuter rail trains with its timetable change on October 6, following completion of improvements to signalling. These works have allowed the operator to increase train speeds and reduce the effect of speed restrictions for some services.
Metro-North used specialised train-simulation software and in-depth analyses of GPS and signal data to create the new timetable.
Travel times for three morning inbound and three afternoon outbound services between Poughkeepsie and Grand Central Terminal have been shortened by around 7 min, with three of these services offering a best journey time of 1 h 28 min.
Further timetable improvements included the addition of an extra pair of weekend services aimed at the day trip leisure market.
Charger locos in service
The first of Metro-North’s Charger electro-diesel locomotives supplied by Siemens Mobility entered service across the commuter rail network on September 22.
The Charger locos are replacing GE P32AC-DM electro-diesel locos which have reached or exceeded their projected 25-year lifespan.
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said the new locos are reducing air pollutants by 85%, while producing 1 000 hp more in power output than the current fleet.
Metro-North placed a framework contract with Siemens in 2020 covering up to 171 locos, and it has ordered 33 in three batches to date.
The 4 200 hp EPA Tier IV locos have a maximum speed of 177 km/h using diesel power or 130 km/h using 750 V DC third rail electric power; this is necessary for running into New York’s Grand Central and Penn stations where diesel traction cannot be used.
