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In celebration of Earth Day, Metrolink will unveil its next-generation locomotive, the MPXpress®, today. Manufactured by MotivePower Inc., the locomotive is the cleanest diesel-electric locomotive on the market, according to the agency.

The units are 10 feet longer than Metrolink’s current locomotives and can haul 10 passenger cars instead of six. In addition, the MPXpress units emit 42 percent fewer nitrogen oxides, 70 percent less carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, and 60 percent less particulate matter than locomotives currently operating in southern California.

The locomotives are equipped with automatic engine stop-start systems designed to reduce idle emissions by at least half, a microprocessor control system to reduce wasted energy while starting and stopping, and electronic fuel injection to provide precise fuel metering, injection timing and engine speed control.

Metrolink has ordered 15 of the locomotives at a cost of $1.9 million each. As the units are delivered during the next 15 months, Metrolink will pull older locomotives out of service to be refurbished.