Siemens has received an order for 34 diesel-electric Charger locomotives from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) in the US.

The transport agencies have used options under the multi-state passenger rail locomotive procurement signed last March in order to replace older locomotives at a volume discount.

The original $225m order by Illinois, California, Michigan, Missouri and Washington included the delivery of 35 diesel-electric passenger locomotives, in addition to an option for up to an additional 222 locomotives.

"Approval of this contract enables us to replace older locomotives, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of MARC for thousands of commuters, businesses and tourists."

Of the 34 vehicles, 14 diesel-electric Charger locomotives will be delivered to Caltrans for its Pacific Surfliner Amtrak route along the southern California coast from San Luis Obispo to San Diego via Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.

Caltrans director Malcolm Dougherty said: "With these new state-of-the art, energy-efficient Charger locomotives, California can continue its goal to offer more alternative and sustainable transportation choices.

"Not only will these new engines promote increased passenger rail ridership, but they will have environmental benefits by reducing the amount of automobile traffic."

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IDOT will add 12 Charger locomotives to its fleet and MTA will introduce eight of the Charger locomotives to its MARC Train service, which connects Baltimore, Brunswick, Frederick, Martinsburg and Washington DC.

MTA administrator Paul Comfort said: "Approval of this contract enables us to replace older locomotives, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of MARC for thousands of commuters, businesses and tourists that depend on this vital train service every day.

"This cooperative agreement also enabled us to purchase these eight new locomotives at a lower cost, which will save taxpayers money."

The company will build the Charger locomotives at its Sacramento rail manufacturing plant in Sacramento, which has been in operation for nearly 30 years.

Designed to operate at speeds up to 125mph, the new passenger locomotives will comply with the US Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) stipulated Tier IV emission standards.

Powered by 16-cylinder, 95l displacement, 4,400HP rated Cummins diesel engines, the new locomotives will be compliant with the FRA and Federal Transit Administration (FTA)’s Buy America Act, with parts produced by suppliers across the US.

The locomotive will be equipped with a microprocessor control system that manages the performance, performs self-diagnosis, makes self-corrective action, and notifies the locomotive engineer and the maintenance facility of any required service.

The company said that the new high-speed, diesel-electric locomotives will help operators achieve cost savings by reducing journey times, while improving reliability and efficiency for its passenger rail service.