Wabtec Corporation has received a follow-on order from New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for additional R255 hybrid battery-diesel work locomotives.
The order covers the supply of new locomotives together with spare parts. Manufacturing will take place at Wabtec’s design and development facility in Erie, Pennsylvania. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027.
The R255 hybrid design is intended for infrastructure construction, maintenance and repair activities on the New York City transit system. The locomotives are designed to operate using battery power for extended periods, allowing work to be carried out in tunnels and other confined environments with reduced exhaust emissions. Battery capacity is stated at around 500 kWh, enabling several hours of operation in battery-only mode and movement of work trains when third rail power is switched off.
For maintenance activities, the locomotives are equipped with onboard cameras and video recording systems used to capture images of track, signalling equipment and other lineside assets. Diagnostic systems are also installed to support condition monitoring and maintenance planning.
According to the MTA, the new locomotives will replace older maintenance traction and are intended to support safer and more efficient working conditions for infrastructure crews across the network.
