One of CURES’ goals has been to get locomotives used in our densely populated communities upgraded to near-zero-emissions Tier 4 technology. This long awaited project will improve the quality of life for our communities.
The MTA recently purchased dual mode Tier 4-electric passenger locomotives for the LIRR and Metro-North Railroad. CURES is happy to report that on November 12, 2025, the Long Island Rail Road put an advertisement in the New York State Contract Reporter that says the LIRR is upgrading freight locomotives to Tier 4.
The LIRR wisely decided to pursue remanufacture of the high-polluting 1970’s freight locomotives that the LIRR and New York & Atlantic Railway are using today. The frames of these in-use locomotives will be outfitted with new Tier 4 engines and modern controls. The repowered locomotives will emit about 95% less pollution and 80% less noise. Tier 4 repowering is proven and cost-effective.
Accomplishing this has been a long haul for the community. The campaign to reduce pollution from freight locomotives was started in 2001, by then Glendale Property Owners Association (GPOA) President Vito Maranzano. Since 2009, CB-5, local civics — including Juniper Park Civic Association — CURES, and our local electeds — including our Senator Addabbo, Assemblymember Hevesi, Assemblymember Rajkumar, NYC Council Member Holden, former Assemblymember and CURES Board Member and current GPOA President Mike Miller, former Assemblymember Cathy Nolan, Congressmember Meng, and Congressmember Velázquez have kept this campaign going.
Remanufacturing this locomotive fleet is likely to take several years, since the procurement is at the Request for Information stage, and only a few locomotives at a time can be taken offline to be remanufactured. However, the trains appear to be leaving the station and heading for the right destination at last.
Here is the full advertisement from the New York State Contract Reporter.
The MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), on behalf of itself and New York and Atlantic (NYAR), is requesting information from potential manufacturers regarding their interest in the complete remanufacture of their existing fleet of Work Locomotives as follows:
Seventeen (17) LIRR MP-15s equipped with Cummins QST30 Tier IV Power modules or an approved equivalent.
Option for procurement of up to two (2) additional MP- 15 cores remanufactured and equipped with Cummins QST30 Tier IV modules or an approved equivalent.
Four (4) NYAR GP38s equipped with Cummins QST50 Tier IV modules or an approved equivalent.
Option for procurement of up to four (4) additional GP38 cores remanufactured and equipped with Cummins QST50 Tier IV modules or an approved equivalent.
To be considered qualified, a vendor must demonstrate previous experience with similar projects.
The Railroads intend to review all comments and recommendations received in response to this Industry Review and utilize the responses, as exclusively determined by the Railroads, in the development of the final Technical Specification (TS), which will serve as the foundation for the Railroads’ Request for Proposal, presently scheduled for issuance in the first quarter of 2026.
This RFEI is issued solely for informational and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. LIRR) does not intend to award any contract based on this RFEI nor to provide compensation for the information solicited. Responses to this RFEI will be considered purely for informational purposes and shall not be regarded as bids or proposals. LIRR, at its sole discretion, reserves the right, without incurring any liability, to modify and/or withdraw this RFEI at any time without explanation, and/or to modify or waive any requirements contained herein, and/or to decide not to proceed with the contract award described above. Submission of a response to this RFEI shall not constitute a guarantee of the award of a contract in any future Invitation for Bids or Request for Proposals. Failure to respond shall not preclude participation m any subsequent Invitation for Bids or Request for Proposals.
For planning purposes, upon receipt of your expression of interest and qualification submittal, LIRR may contact each qualified vendor to schedule a face-to-face discussion. Based upon the results of these meetings, LIRR may revise its TS and commence a formal solicitation.
