Amtrak Empire, LIRR, MNRR/CTDOT Dual Mode Procurement - Charger Variants

Are there a rumblings about new engines yet for Metro North? If so, are there any bidders yet?

A possible variant of the SC-44 Charger,part of a Joint order with Amtrak and LIRR,a dual mode model running on 3rd rail(770 VDC) and Diesel.

how can there be bidders when a RFP has not been issued yet.
currently several manufacturers have been approached on their take on providing new Dual mode locomotives.
it would be a combined order for LIRR - MN - Amtrak (NYS) specifications can be found here :
http://www.highspeed-rail.org/Pages/DocsSpecs.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

DutchRailnut wrote:how can there be bidders when a RFP has not been issued yet.

Usually before the RFP, there is an RFI - Request for Information - or RFQ - Request for Qualifications. Those serve to find and narrow down a pool of prospective bidders. At the time the RFP is issued on a major project, there is usually a set pool of bidders out there already. Technically, there aren't officially bidders until the RFP closes, because you don't submit a bid the day the RFP is issued. Usually there's a 90 day window to prepare the bid, and it's not turned in until the last day to keep information from leaking out.

But I'm sure you knew that.

there is going to be a lot of negotiations not only with manufacturers but also between the 3 railroads. as all 3 will get same Dual mode unit.
If Amtrak requires a toilet, all will get it.
If MN needs a nose egress then even the LIRR and Amtrak units will get it.

cost will be all for NY state and under PRII requirement it will be a combined design.

I'd think the WOH engine fleet would be a higher priority. They're not dual mode and consistency break Down.

they were just rebuild , not likely they be replaced soon.

Why on earth would you need the WOH engines to be dual mode? It's not like they run anywhere that requires electrification.
(Not that it stops NJT from running ALP45s on the Pascack Valley line...)

For WOH,Whatever NJT orders as their GP40P replacement loco,or a batch of SC-44 Chargers.

Tadman wrote:

DutchRailnut wrote:how can there be bidders when a RFP has not been issued yet.

Usually before the RFP, there is an RFI - Request for Information - or RFQ - Request for Qualifications. Those serve to find and narrow down a pool of prospective bidders. At the time the RFP is issued on a major project, there is usually a set pool of bidders out there already. Technically, there aren't officially bidders until the RFP closes, because you don't submit a bid the day the RFP is issued. Usually there's a 90 day window to prepare the bid, and it's not turned in until the last day to keep information from leaking out.

But I'm sure you knew that.

The RFI for the Empire/MNRR/LIRR triple-order was already done 4 years ago. Siemens (dual-mode Charger), Bombardier (third-rail ALP-45DP), and MPI (HSP-46 -derived dual-mode) were the bidders who submitted RFI packages. MPI is almost certainly out of it today because the HSP-46 was such a disaster it pretty much killed their whole passenger biz in the process. So it's effectively a one-on-one Siemens v. BBD duel for the...uh, "dual"...going forward as the technical specs are just too stiff for some other dark horse vendor to plausibly come out of the woodwork with any surprise bid come RFP time.

The RFP has not been issued, nor is it likely to be seen this calendar year. Albany hasn't appropriated any money for it yet. And there are key logistical decisions that have to be made for each road made before they can set target quantities (base + options) for the real RFP...namely: (1) is NYSDOT going to get out of doing engine swaps @ Albany for Empire trains because of new PRIAA ownership rules and thus need to order more duals to cover all schedules end-to-end; (2) how is LIRR going to split its duals vs. straight-diesel quantities, since both EMD fleets are up for simultaneous retirement; and (3) what is MNRR projecting for Penn Station Access-Hudson fleet requirements since the options on this order will have to cover eventual service starts. FY2019 is what they have to aim for on issuing all that documentation if they want to get this procurement in the pipeline before the P32's are ridden completely to dust, but there's still some major existential stuff that has to be decided in the meantime.


People might be confusing this order with the MTA RFP just issued for LIRR work locos and freight fleet replacements for NYAR. The work loco order is badly needed on Long Island, so that's a decent bit of good news. But it's wholly unrelated to the big triple-agency passenger procurement.

I'd like new dual-mode locos for the Danbury and Waterbury branches (and SLE if they can't get M8s) with a side of more service to GCT instead of fries and service cuts.

I’d think MNRR’s plan will also be contingent on what they decide to do vis-a-vis EMU vs. push-pull and bilevels to accommodate ridership growth.

Jeff as usual you have no clue ! Mu's hell no , no one will electrify Harmon to Po town or Danbury or Waterbury.
Ridership pretty much dictates MLV's as single level trains would exceed 12 cars and Platforms don't .
yes Metro North is pretty much obligated to MLV's as to engines , no choice is made , but for now the Siemens Charger seems to be only adaptable platform.

I'm sorry, where was I talking about electrification EXTENSION? They still have fleet needs in electrified territory. M3-A's are getting long in the tooth..... That encompasses the imminent M-9 options, and possibly M-10's (especially with CtDOT growth).

I think you need to have a Hefeweizen.

CDOT is not even finished with M-8 deliveries . and yes not one M-9 has been delivered yet.
first 4 LIRR cars are testing in Pueblo. and 4 more cars are on boat coming directly to LIRR.