STV’s team recently joined Metra and transit industry leaders at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) TRANSform & Expo for the unveiling of the agency’s first battery-electric multiple unit (BEMU) trainset, giving attendees a first look at the vehicle being developed for one of North America’s first battery-electric commuter rail programs.
The unveiling offered APTA attendees a first look inside the new train, which runs entirely on battery power and can travel an estimated 45 to 50 miles on a single charge. For the STV team supporting the program, it also made visible years of procurement, engineering review, manufacturing quality oversight and other technical work required to introduce battery-electric technology into commuter rail operations.
“This is the first chance for many people to see the train up close. For the team behind it, it makes years of work tangible as we help prepare this new technology for future service,” said Austin Longshore, senior project manager for STV in Chicago and a member of the vehicles team.
STV is supporting Metra with the interconnected vehicle, testing and infrastructure requirements needed to prepare the trainsets for future operations. The team’s work spans procurement and design reviews through manufacturing quality and testing oversight, while helping Metra plan for the charging infrastructure the new fleet will require. Battery-stored energy will power the trainsets, with each train featuring a centrally located power car housing the battery propulsion energy storage system.
STV’s work also includes assisting Metra with charging requirements for this new fleet and collaborating on its infrastructure strategy to support and maintain future BEMU operations on the Beverly Branch. Stadler Rail, the BEMU’s manufacturer, also highlighted the partnership that helped bring the trainset to fruition.
“I’d like to thank STV as the consultant who collaborated with us to bring a quality product here to APTA,” said Sebastian Traechsel, commercial project manager at Stadler Rail.
“Seeing the train here at APTA makes years of planning and collaboration tangible, while marking another step toward future service in the Chicago region,” Longshore said. “Battery power gives agencies a new way to think about how they provide cleaner, more efficient rail service while maintaining the flexibility their networks demand.”
