Siemens Mobility is launching its battery-overhead Charger B+AC locomotive in the United States. This innovation will provide cleaner transport and become the first of its kind on the North American market. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Siemens Mobility is launching its battery-overhead Charger B+AC locomotive in the United States. This innovation will provide cleaner transport and become the first of its kind on the North American market.
Photo: RailwayPro

The company has begun production of 13 battery-overhead locomotives under a contract with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the public transport operator for the New York metropolitan area.

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Siemens Presents Battery-Overhead Locomotive for MTA

The Charger B+AC is based on the proven Siemens Charger diesel locomotive, widely used across the U.S. and Canada. In the new version, engineers have replaced the diesel engine with a modular battery system and pantograph. This approach enables a shift to cleaner energy without replacing the entire locomotive platform.

By maintaining the familiar control interface and using components already found in existing fleets, Siemens simplifies maintenance and reduces implementation costs. The modular design also increases flexibility, allowing operators to adjust train length based on current passenger demand.

Advantages of the Siemens Charger B+AC Battery-Overhead Locomotive

The new Siemens Charger B+AC can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h (124 mph) and travel up to 160 km (100 miles) in battery mode. Charging is possible via overhead lines, stationary charging stations, or regenerative braking. These features make it suitable for both electrified and non-electrified routes in urban and suburban areas.

Previously, MTA ordered hybrid SC42-DM locomotives from Siemens, capable of operating on diesel and third-rail power. The first two of 33 units were delivered in 2023. The new battery-overhead project strengthens the partnership between Siemens and MTA while supporting a transition to more sustainable rail transport.

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