Florida's Tri-Rail Taps Siemens Mobility for Modern Locomotive Procurement
Expected to enter service in 2029, these locomotives support the agency’s commitment to offer reliable and efficient rail transportation across South Florida.
The procurement, funded by the FTA, recognizes Siemens Mobility as the only manufacturer capable of providing locomotives that meet SFRTA’s operational needs and regulatory requirements.
Credit: Siemens/SFRTA
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA), operator of Tri-Rail commuter rail service in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties, ordered seven advanced Charger diesel-electric locomotives from Siemens Mobility to add to its fleet.
Expected to enter service in 2029, these locomotives support Tri-Rail’s commitment to offer reliable and efficient rail transportation across South Florida.
Tri-Rail’s New Locomotives
With the addition of seven new locomotives, Tri-Rail will enhance its aging fleet, introducing equipment designed to improve the passenger experience with modern features while increasing the reliability of daily service.
The new locomotives are also equipped to provide service into MiamiCentral, which requires rail equipment that meets specific operational and compliance requirements to access the station.
“These new locomotives represent a major step forward in modernizing Tri-Rail’s fleet and strengthening the reliability of our service for the riders who depend on us every day,” said Dave Dech, SFRTA Executive Director. “This investment supports our long-term vision for a safer, more efficient commuter rail system, and positions Tri-Rail for continued growth.”
The new Siemens Charger locomotives will replace SFRTA’s aging fleet of six EMD GP49 units, enabling Tri-Rail to retire older equipment and enhance service quality for riders.
Operating along the 73.5-mile corridor linking Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, as well as the additional eight-mile stretch on the Florida East Coast (FEC) Corridor to MiamiCentral, the Charger locomotives will provide modern, high-performance service to keep South Floridians moving and connected.
The Siemens Partnership
The procurement, funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), recognizes Siemens Mobility as the only manufacturer capable of providing locomotives that meet SFRTA’s operational needs and regulatory requirements. The Charger is EPA Tier 4 compliant and recognized as the diesel-electric locomotive with the lowest emissions in North America.
Production of the locomotives will begin well ahead of delivery, with all units scheduled to enter service in 2029. By modernizing its fleet, SFRTA is reinforcing its role as a vital complement to South Florida’s intercity rail network, offering commuters an affordable, dependable, and modern transit alternative, said agency officials.
The Charger locomotives for Tri-Rail are Buy America-compliant and will be built at Siemens Mobility's rail manufacturing hub in Sacramento, California. With more than 2,500 employees on-site, the facility has been in operation for 30 years.
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