EMD DE30AC and DM30AC
The EMD DE30AC and DM30AC are a class of 46 locomotives built between 1997–1999 by Electro-Motive Division in the Super Steel Plant in Schenectady, New York, for the Long Island Rail Road of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York. Originally divided equally between the two types, the fleet currently consists of 23 DE30AC locomotives (diesel power only) and 20 DM30AC locomotives (diesel or third rail power). Details. The DE30AC and DM30AC locomotives replaced aging GP38s locomotives, with GP38s used to push and pull diesel trains and other locomotives converted into power packs (cab  control) used to provide Head End Power for the trains. The bodies of the DE30AC and the DM30AC are extremely similar; the difference is the ability of the DM30AC to use electric third rail while the diesel engine is off, enabling the locomotive to use the East River Tunnels into New York Penn Station. This permits direct service from non-electrified lines in eastern Long Island via the western electrified main lines all the way to Penn Station. A few such trains a day run on the Port Jefferson, Montauk, and Oyster Bay branches, usually during peak times. Single engines  run with seven cars or fewer and engines are placed on the East (Montauk) end of the train. Generally, two engines are used when there are seven or more cars. Of the original 46 locomotives, 44 are still in use. The locomotives retired include: In addition, DM30AC 507 suffered an electrical cabinet failure. Unlike 503 and 511, it was salvaged by being converted into a DE30AC locomotive, renumbered to 423, and returned to service. Planned replacement. In December 2020, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York board approved a Federal Transit Administration-funded $335 million contract for 27 dual -mode locomotives, based on the Siemens Charger design. The order also includes additional options for up to 144 more locomotives, of which 66 will go to the LIRR. The new locomotives will replace the older existing DE30/DM30AC locomotives in the future.