by D.S. Lewith
Currently LIRR operates electro-diesel locomotives hauling coaches for non-electrified rail lines (MNCR also does this as well). Instead of having a heavy locomotive hauling coaches, LIRR can invest in buying dual-mode EMUs (using a battery in place of diesel), which are lighter, offer better acceleration, and are better-suited for branch line services.
Although no one has manufactured a third rail+battery EMU, Stadler has manufactured the FLIRT in battery, hybrid diesel-battery, and electro-diesel-battery, and is willing to make custom designs, so Stadler can create a variant of the FLIRT tailor-made to the LIRR's (and MNCR's) needs. Obviously this would change a normally low-floor train to a high-floor train (similar to the UK variant). This train (dubbed FLIRT MTA) would replace the DE30ACs, DM30ACs and C3s for the LIRR and the P32AC-DM and the the Comet IIs and Shoreliner cars on the East of Hudson services (New Haven and its branches, Hudson and Harlem lines)
Although no one has manufactured a third rail+battery EMU, Stadler has manufactured the FLIRT in battery, hybrid diesel-battery, and electro-diesel-battery, and is willing to make custom designs, so Stadler can create a variant of the FLIRT tailor-made to the LIRR's (and MNCR's) needs. Obviously this would change a normally low-floor train to a high-floor train (similar to the UK variant). This train (dubbed FLIRT MTA) would replace the DE30ACs, DM30ACs and C3s for the LIRR and the P32AC-DM and the the Comet IIs and Shoreliner cars on the East of Hudson services (New Haven and its branches, Hudson and Harlem lines)