Latest news with #SiemensMobility
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NY transit authority orders nation's first battery-electric passenger locomotive
This story was originally published on Smart Cities Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Smart Cities Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority ordered 13 battery-electric passenger locomotives to serve trains on its Metro-North lines, marking the first use of the technology in North America. Siemens Mobility will manufacture the locomotives in its Sacramento, California, facility and expects they will go into service in 2029, the company's interim CEO, Tobias Bauer, said in an interview. The dual-mode locomotives, which can draw electric power from overhead wires and switch to battery power where those are not available, could avoid passengers having to change trains from Manhattan to some destinations in Connecticut, Bauer said. Dive Insight: Transit agencies in the U.S. are exploring alternatives to diesel-powered locomotives, which impact human health and the environment, and electric locomotives, which require expensive infrastructure such as overhead wires. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority; Caltrain, a commuter rail line that serves the San Francisco Peninsula; Southern California's Metrolink system; and the Chicago-area Metra commuter railroad are planning for battery-electric or hydrogen-powered trains. The Siemens battery-electric locomotive is an adaptation of its Charger locomotive, which is available powered either by diesel engines or external electric infrastructure. More than 400 such locomotives have been sold to date in North America. The new battery-electric locomotive will seamlessly transition from overhead power to battery power. 'The locomotive itself knows where it is and when it has to switch,' Bauer said. The MTA said the locomotives will bring trains from its New Haven, Connecticut, line to Penn Station, a project that includes four new train stations in the Bronx borough of New York City. 'What better way to inaugurate this new service than with cutting edge battery-electric locomotives that will set a new standard for environmental friendliness and overall reliability?' Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi said in a statement. Siemens Mobility also provided a map that shows other destinations the battery-electric locomotive could serve, including Danbury and Waterbury, Connecticut, which are on non-electrified lines. Commuter trains from Croton-Harmon, New York, which now go to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan, could also go to Penn Station using the battery-electric locomotives. The battery-electric locomotives provide 'a lot of flexibility,' Bauer said. The locomotives can operate up to 125 mph and run on battery power for up to 100 miles. Recommended Reading Where battery and hydrogen-powered trains are coming to US commuter rail
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Siemens opens expanded train manufacturing facility in Germany
Siemens has inaugurated its expanded train manufacturing facility at Munich-Allach in Germany. The Munich-Allach facility is claimed to be one of Europe's most advanced train production sites and a key location in the company's European service network. The company has invested approximately €250m ($294.3m) since 2023 in new infrastructure, modern production equipment, and enhanced AI-based software solutions. The facility has doubled in size to more than 100,000m2, significantly boosting Siemens' production capacity. It will produce Vectouro passenger cars alongside the Vectron locomotive platform, marking the first time all Vectron-based products will be manufactured at a single site. The upgraded facility will enable the manufacture of up to 385 Vectron locomotives and 180 passenger cars annually. Siemens Mobility is relocating its headquarters from Munich-Perlach to Munich-Allach, creating more than 500 new technical jobs in areas such as welding, metalworking, mechatronics, and electrical engineering. By 2028, the site is projected to employ more than 2,500 individuals. Advanced technologies, including laser-guided installation, robotics, AI-driven quality control, digital twins, and AI-enhanced software development, will allow Munich-Allach to enhance the development, production, and servicing of modern, sustainable rail vehicles. Siemens Mobility CEO Michael Peter said: 'The expansion of our location in Munich-Allach into a global competence center and home of the new company headquarters combines efficiency and innovation. 'With an investment of around €250m in modern production facilities, service capacities, and digital solutions, we are securing our competitiveness and further boosting our innovative strength.' The rail service centre at Munich-Allach is also expanding, increasing its capacity to handle up to 80 locomotive overhauls and accident repairs per year, up from 25. Set to be completed in 2026, the upgraded centre will feature four new service tracks and specialised workshops for bogies and wheelsets, ensuring high-quality service and faster turnaround times. Moreover, the site will house around 70 data and software specialists to support global customers with digital transformation through modular services and the Railigent X application suite. Siemens Mobility CFO Karl Blaim said: 'Munich-Allach is a beacon of our innovation strategy and a prime example of German engineering. With over 1.2 billion kilometres in service, our Vectron locomotives clearly prove that premium products can be successfully manufactured in Germany.' Last month, Siemens Mobility launched the Charger B+AC, North America's first battery-electric passenger locomotive. "Siemens opens expanded train manufacturing facility in Germany" was originally created and published by Railway Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Siemens Mobility unveils new battery-electric locomotive for North America
Siemens Mobility has introduced the Charger B+AC, a next-generation passenger locomotive designed specifically for the North American market. This locomotive is claimed to be the first battery-electric passenger locomotive in North America. It is part of Siemens' expanding portfolio of alternative propulsion technologies, which includes the battery-electric Mireo Plus B, hydrogen-powered Mireo Plus H, and hybrid Vectron locomotives. The Charger B+AC offers a modular and scalable solution tailored for North American passenger rail, enabling transit authorities to enhance service while promoting sustainable transport. Building on the success of the Charger platform, which has seen more than 400 units sold across the continent, the Charger B+AC replaces the traditional diesel engine with a modular battery system and pantograph. This design allows the locomotive to operate primarily on power from overhead catenary wires, seamlessly switching to battery mode in areas without catenary infrastructure, such as near stations. Siemens Mobility Rolling Stock CEO Andre Rodenbeck said: 'Expanding our portfolio with the Charger B+AC emphasises our dedication to providing the best propulsion solutions for every customer need. 'With a growing range of battery, hydrogen, and hybrid propulsion technologies, we're empowering operators to make efficient, sustainable, and future-oriented investments – supported by reliable platforms and decades of rail expertise.' Capable of reaching speeds up to 125mph under catenary and up to 100 miles with battery, the Charger B+AC is compliant with Buy America regulations and manufactured in the US. It supports various charging methods, including catenary, plug-in, and dynamic braking. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Metro-North Railroad in New York have already ordered 13 of these battery-electric locomotives for their railcar fleet expansion. Recently, Akiem ordered 50 Vectron Dual Mode (VDM) locomotives from Siemens Mobility. The order consists of a firm commitment for ten locomotives and an option for 40 more, with the first deliveries expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. "Siemens Mobility unveils new battery-electric locomotive for North America" was originally created and published by Railway Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New Piccadilly line trains delayed by up to a year
New Piccadilly line trains will now be introduced up to a year later than 94 fully walk-through trains with air-conditioning and CCTV had been pencilled in for passenger use in late for London (TfL) confirmed that this was now scheduled to happen in the second half of for the trains will begin this summer, TfL said. The new-generation trains will replace the existing 1970s fleet. The new trains will be lighter and more environmentally friendly, with real-time displays and wider doorways. The model is being described as the "most complex" train ever to be introduced to the Tube said some of the engineering challenges were down to the Piccadilly line being one of the longest and deepest Tube lines. The network added that the engineering complexities had been more challenging than expected, which had caused the delay to the rollout. Siemens Mobility and TfL said it would take up to a year to test the trains, which is partly due to the tunnel infrastructure on a rail line that is nearly 120 years Banerjee, Joint CEO at Siemens Mobility, said: "We're sorry we can't have our innovative trains running for passengers even sooner but, once they're in service, the technology on these new trains will bring smoother, greener and more comfortable journeys for Londoners for the next 30 or more years."
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sacramento train builder agrees to workplace review after racial harassment complaint
A German company with a large train manufacturing plant in Sacramento agreed to an independent review of its workplace practices after a worker reported race-based harassment, the California Civil Rights Department announced Wednesday. As part of the settlement, Siemens Mobility agreed to compensate the employee — who filed a complaint with the agency in 2023 — without admitting to any liability. That worker alleged that 'multiple co-workers over a period of several months would daily use derogatory terms either associated with Black people or Latinos,' according to a Civil Rights Department news release, which does not specify the amount of monetary compensation. The complainant 'identified as African American,' the department's public affairs staff clarified in an email to The Sacramento Bee. The employee, who worked at Siemens' Florin plant, claimed to have faced retaliation — including suspension and being escorted out of the French Road facility by security staff — for raising the concern about harassment, the news release said. A Siemens spokesperson, Kara Evanko, said that the claims of retaliation were 'false,' adding that the company 'is firmly committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination, intimidation, and harassment and denied the allegations in the complaint.' The eight-page settlement agreement specifies that Siemens Mobility has hired an outside consultant, approved by state regulators, to 'assess the efficacy of its equal employment opportunity practices' at the plant, which builds rolling stock. The consultant will look into any racial tensions, incidents of harassment and how the company handles complaints. The company will have to share with Civil Rights Department officials a written report by the consultant and then implement policies recommended by the consultant and the agency, or else return to mediation. 'There is no place for derogatory slurs in the workplace,' Civil Rights Director Kevin Kish said in a statement. 'Through this voluntary settlement, Siemens Mobility is doing the right thing to help protect workers in our state.' The Siemens Mobility facility in Florin is the company's headquarters for North American railway manufacturing. It employs over 2,500 people, according to the company's website. A unionization effort at the plant failed in March.
