The Prescription is MO Charger. On the night of Sunday, March 30, 2025, MTA Metro-North Railroad/Siemens SC42-DMs MNCW 301 and 302 traveled around the wye at MO in Mott Haven in the Bronx, New York on the way to the New Haven Line. The short consist, double ended with two coaches, was built to test PTC. Utilizing a locomotive at each end doubles the amount of testing that can be performed. This wye connects the Hudson and Harlem Lines, and prior to the initiation of Yankee Stadium service directly from the Harlem and New Haven Lines, it was only used for non-revenue moves.
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. 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 (Hudson), Southeast (Harlem), or Mount Vernon East (New Haven) areas, where third rail electrification ends. Like their predecessor, the EMD FL-9, the design of the P32 was to utilize electric mode for short distances, and does not allow for it to operate with all of the same features as it does in diesel mode. Other testing still needs to be completed prior to these locomotives entering revenue service.
