Charging Out Of NYC. On the overnight of January 17-18, 2025, MTA Metro-North Railroad/Siemens SC42-DM, MNCW 302, was out testing on the road. This dual mode locomotive is one of 33 on order to start to replace the railroad's General Electric P32s. Though similar to the all diesel design of the SC-44 and ALC-42, these locomotives also had to go to the testing center in Pueblo, Colorado for full evaluation before delivery to Metro-North. The locomotives are much quieter than their predecessors, and also significantly more fuel efficient while providing more power. On this night the train operated both in diesel mode and at least one trip in electric (third rail) mode. While the (present) GE P32AC-DM fleet changes from electric to diesel mode around the Harlem-125 Street Station, MNR has stated that this locomotive is designed to operate on third rail to the Croton Harmon area, where electrification ends. The train is seen passing through the Mott Haven section of the Bronx, New York.
With three lines radiating north out of Grand Central Terminal plus service to Port Jervis on the former Erie, Metro North covers a wide swatch of New York's northern suburbs with varying terrains.
A continuously growing album of photos that IMHO reveal the awesome and seldom-seen beauty of the railroad world from the dimming of day to dawn's early light! From dusk to dawn, trains roll on! (I'm still finding gems of sunset-to-sunrise surprises!)
