Metra, the Chicago-area commuter rail agency, says its new Stadler FLIRT battery-electric locomotive is a first of its kind in the United States. The trainset is already on its way to Chicago and will be exhibited at the American Public Transportation Association conference starting Sunday. Metra ordered eight of the units as part of a push to replace aging diesel locomotives on the Beverly branch of the Rock Island Line, where the agency expects improved air quality for nearby residents and workers.
The single-level trainsets feature low-level boarding and lifts for ADA compliance, with seating for up to 112 passengers and room for an additional trailer car carrying 46 more riders. Open gangways let passengers move between cars, and amenities include passenger information signs, bike racks, luggage racks, and USB outlets. Metra says a fully charged set can travel 45 to 65 miles on an undisclosed battery pack, and an 20–80% charge takes about 30 minutes—enough, the agency claims, to complete a run.
Metra Executive Director Jim Derwinski called the vehicles the first battery-powered passenger trains in the country. Stadler North America CEO Martin Ritter said the technology offers transit agencies a practical path toward reducing emissions. The trainsets are expected to enter passenger service before the end of 2027, but the first unit will be on display in Chicago this week for conference attendees and the public to see.