The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in the US has exercised an option in a previously signed contract with Motive Power to refurbish 27 additional commuter rail locomotives.
Under the ongoing contract, Motive Power is tasked to overhaul ten F40 locomotives. It delivered the first vehicle last month, while the remaining nine units are scheduled to be delivered on a rolling basis by the end of August.
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The overhauls of the 27 additional units will cost MBTA around $78.3m and will improve locomotive reliability in the near term.
Deliveries of the option units are expected to begin by November next year, with the last locomotive to be delivered by late 2021.
MBTA general manager Steve Poftak said: “Our investments in our core system continue to increase and are starting to show real results for our customers.
“These locomotives will be crucial to improving daily reliability and allow us to operate the system while we plan for the future of Commuter Rail.”
The scope of overhauling works on the F40 locomotives includes upgrading the vehicles with remote monitoring and diagnostics, forward-facing and cab cameras.
The units will also be fitted with modern brake and control systems for better performance.
MBTA has been operating the F40 locomotives for around three decades. The first batch of 25 locomotives was introduced into service between 1987 and 1988. The second segment of 12 locomotives joined services in 1991.
In another development, MBTA also approved the contract to relocate and construct a Chelsea Commuter Rail Station. The $32.37m contract was awarded to AA Will following a competitive bidding process.
