Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Metrolink wants new diesel-powered locomotives to take you to work
()
(
Metrolink
)
Southern California's commuter rail system will begin testing new diesel-powered locomotives this weekend along railways in Pasadena, Pomona, San Dimas, La Verne, Glendora, Azusa and Irwindale, according to Metrolink.
The Federal Railroad Administration gave Metrolink approval to begin limited testing of locomotives at Keller Yard on June 1. This weekend's tests will look to see how they hold up while actually pulling train cars, according to Metrolink.
The new locomotives meet the Environmental Protection Agency's most stringent emission standards and, once implemented, will result in an 85 percent reduction in emissions compared to the agency's older cars, according to Metrolink.
"They are a lot different," agency spokeswoman Sherita Coffelt told KPCC. "They are sleeker. They're silver. They have a nice teal strip down the side. They're certainly eye catching in that they look state of the art."
Support for LAist comes from
Residents near testing sites might see the locomotives hooked up to passenger cars, Coffelt said. But they won't be carrying passengers — they're empty except for sandbags used to simulate the weight of human riders.
()
The tests will continue for two to three months, she said. If all goes well, passengers could be riding the lower-emission trains by this fall. If any of the tests are unsuccessful, the agency will have to rethink its implementation strategy.
If successful, Metrolink could become the first passenger rail service in the United States to put these locomotives into use, according to Coffelt. The federally mandated testing is scheduled to expand to the Antelope Valley Line on June 13 and the Orange County Line June 27.
Testing will take place during the day to prevent disturbance to communities at night, Coffelt added.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.
Best of LAist