Wabtec announced a $386 million follow‑on order from the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for additional R255 hybrid battery‑diesel work locomotives. The locomotives will be built at Wabtec’s design and development center in Erie, Pennsylvania, with deliveries slated to begin in 2027.
The new order expands on a 2020 contract that covered 25 R255 units, the first of which entered service in mid‑2024. The January 7 announcement confirms that the MTA has exercised an option to purchase 45 additional R255 locomotives, bringing the total fleet to 70 units and extending the life of the MTA’s work‑train inventory.
The deal adds a substantial, recurring revenue stream to Wabtec’s Transit segment and reinforces the company’s strategy of securing long‑term service and parts contracts with major public‑transport customers. The order’s value and the size of the fleet underscore Wabtec’s position as a leading supplier of work‑train technology and signal a continued demand for its hybrid solutions.
The R255 locomotives feature a 500‑kWh battery that allows several hours of battery‑only operation in confined work zones, and they are equipped with cameras, video recorders, and onboard diagnostics. The hybrid design reduces emissions and improves air quality for maintenance crews, aligning with the MTA’s sustainability goals and the broader industry shift toward cleaner operations.
Wabtec’s CEO, Rafael Santana, highlighted the order as evidence of a strong backlog and growing demand for its transit products. He noted that the MTA’s capital plan, which prioritizes fleet modernization, is a key driver of the company’s continued growth in the transit market. The order also complements Wabtec’s recent acquisition of Frauscher Sensor Technology Group and a $4.2 billion locomotive contract with Kazakhstan’s national railway, illustrating the company’s expanding global footprint.
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