Siemens has been awarded a $118 million contract to build 13 electric locomotives, supply spare parts and provide operation and maintenance training for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SETPA). The contract includes an option to deliver up to an additional five locomotives. These 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 its ridership along SEPTA’s regional rail lines.
“The purchase of these new locomotives are the first of several new vehicle purchases which are part of SEPTA’s Building the Future program,” said SEPTA General Manager Jeff Knueppel. “We are looking forward their arrival to help provide faster and more reliable regional rail service for our rapidly growing ridership.”
The electric locomotives will be built at the Siemens rail manufacturing facility in Sacramento, California. The plant, which has been in operation for nearly 30 years, sources up to 80 percent of its energy from two megawatts of solar energy and currently employs over 800 people. Siemens, along with more than 60 domestic suppliers, manufacturers and distributors in over 20 states, are part of a national community building these state-of-the-art electric locomotives.
“As a rail innovation leader, we’re thrilled to partner with SEPTA to bring advanced rail technology to their ridership,” said Michael Cahill, president of Siemens Rolling Stock. “We are confident that these new electric locomotives will enhance mobility for the people, businesses and economy of the Philadelphia region.”
