The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will spend $115 million for new diesel locomotives for the MBTA system, with delivery starting in 2013.
The engines will be cleaner, cost less to operate and be more reliable than the 20 antiquated diesels they'll replace, MassDOT says.
The state is buying the diesels from Motive Power of Boise, Idaho. In 2008, the MBTA agreed to buy up to 28 diesels from a Spanish company, but under pressure from Idaho politicians, the Federal Railroad Administration spiked the deal [2] saying a plan to first build two prototype diesels violated a "buy American" law.
In addition to the Idaho locomotives, the T is acquiring at least two new diesels from Utah. The T currently has 80 commuter-rail diesels, many at or past their original anticipated retirement dates.