Media Kit » Try RailPrime™ Today! »
Progressive Railroading
Newsletter Sign Up
Stay updated on news, articles and information for the rail industry



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.




  railPrime
            View Current Digital Issue »



Rail News Home Passenger Rail

2/12/2026



Rail News: Passenger Rail

MBTA enters New Haven heritage locomotive into passenger service


The overhauled New Haven heritage locomotive (pictured) pays tribute New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, which formed the bulk of the MBTA's southside commuter-rail lines.
Photo – Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

advertisement

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) this month entered into commuter-rail service an overhauled heritage locomotive that pays tribute to the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad (New Haven), one of three legacy railroads that shaped MBTA's current operations.

The New Haven formed the bulk of the MBTA's southside commuter-rail lines. In 1973, MBTA purchased the railroad's infrastructure and rolling stock. The overhauled heritage locomotive is one of MBTA's last original 37 locomotives that operated between 1987 and 1991, MBTA officials said in a press release.

It was rebuilt and refurbished to meet modern standards and was painted in the historic orange, white and black colors of the New Haven, MBTA officials said. It is now serving commuter-rail lines that operate in and out of MBTA's South Station in Boston.

The New Haven locomotive is the second heritage unit to be overhauled, repainted and entered into commuter-rail service as part of a tribute to the three legacy railroads. A Boston and Maine Railroad heritage locomotive was entered into service in September 2025, and a New York Central Railroad heritage locomotive will enter service in the coming weeks, MBTA officials said.

The Boston and Maine Railroad once made up the northside of the MBTA network, and the New York Central historically operated what is now the Worcester Line.



Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

More News from 2/12/2026