Metrolink's first Tier 4 locomotive enters service

Metrolink yesterday rolled out the first of 40 new locomotives that meet the Environmental Protection Agency's Tier 4 emission standards.

Built by Progress Rail, the unit entered service yesterday afternoon on the San Bernardino Line, which is the commuter railroad's busiest line.

The new locomotives are expected to reduce emissions by about 85 percent compared to other locomotives operating in the region, Metrolink officials said in a press release.

Equipped with crash energy management technology, the new unit also has up to 64 percent more horsepower.

Metrolink in June began testing the new locomotives. The railroad plans to put all 40 Tier 4-compliant units into service by the end of 2018.

The new fleet cost $279 million. Metrolink received $21 million from the federal government and $132 million from California. Regional and local sources covered the remaining cost.