Siemens obtains $118 million contract to provide 13 locomotives to SEPTA

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has awarded Siemens a $118 million contract to build 13 electric locomotives, supply spare parts and provide operation and maintenance training.

The contract includes an option to deliver up to five additional locomotives, Siemens officials said in a news release yesterday.

A rendering of SEPTA's new locomotives
Source: Siemens

The modern electric locomotives will replace an aging locomotive fleet to support SEPTA's efforts to expand capacity and provide more efficient and reliable service for riders along its regional rail lines.

"The purchase of these new locomotives are the first of several new vehicle purchases" that are part of the agency's Rebuilding for the Future campaign, said SEPTA General Manager Jeff Knueppel, referring to the agency's plan to renew key infrastructure. "We are looking forward to their arrival to help provide faster and more reliable regional rail service for our rapidly growing ridership."

The new units include a microprocessor system that performs self-diagnosis of all key systems, makes self-correcting actions and notifies the engineer, Siemens officials said. Additionally, there is a redundant system to ensure power is maintained to the passenger cars for heating, cooling, lighting and door operation.

The new vehicles also use regenerative braking, which feeds energy back into the power grid.

The locomotives are set to be delivered in early 2018.

SEPTA's board in late May approved the plan to purchase the locomotives.