LIRR DM30AC 518/ Siemens Electric Mode Test Train at Wantagh

As the current Long Island Railroad diesel fleet approaches the end of its useful service life, the railroad is considering different manufacturers to produce the future fleet. One possible manufacturer being Siemens and their SC44 "Charger" locomotive.
Since LIRR's procurement would include dual mode versions of the SC44, which don't currently exist, LIRR and Siemens temporarily retrofitted DM30AC 518 with some electrical components in order to test their compatibility with LIRR's third rail (voltage, gaps, etc.). Some retrofitted equipment included an air compressor, and notably the "Ekyrail" electronic locomotive bell.
This test train ran from West Side Yard to Babylon entirely in "E" or "Electric" mode and conducted simulated station stops.

[@hoonami139]

takes off very quickly

[@nah_144]

The locomotive is in electric mode, so that makes them move as fast as EMUs

[@mr.conductorfromsts4204]

And NYC Subway Cars

[@CentralJerseyRailfan]

Damn she flies. Fantastic catch!

[@davidng2336]

As of December 2020, the MTA has ordered dual mode Chargers.

[@AcelaRailan2150]

sounds just like an Acela startup too great catch!

[@jaymorgenthal9479]

Metro North P32DM units switch to desiel power as soon as they exit the park ave tunnel.

[@lirrprodigy2810]

I heard they are getting chargers according to a friend of mine who works on car cleaning and just got hired by the diesel shop.

[@LIMowersAndMore]

Jake Rothman yep you’re friend is right haha, I wonder who he is? 🤔

[@lirrprodigy2810]

@@LIMowersAndMore 😏

[@andrewfowler2182]

Will the coaches be replced as well or just get refurbished

[@andrewfowler2182]

It would be very smart of the LIRR to keep the C3s as backup but just refurbish them

[@LIMowersAndMore]

Andrew Fowler sadly it’s to much in cost related..

[@3985uprr]

Sounds like the town cryer bell in a Salem Massachusetts witch movie. Do the railroad wants to get Chargers? They will have to make a dual mode Charger then.

[@ROTE]

Nice! The bells sound strange.

[@AMT1345]

It’s an Ekyrail Bell

[@AndyRailfan]

Interesting, is 518 going to be the only DM retrofitted with the Siemens parts?

[@LIMowersAndMore]

AndyRailfan271 no.

[@davidng2336]

The Siemens parts have since been removed from 518. But the bell is still there.

[@AndyRailfan]

I’m aware now, at the beginning I thought they might’ve did more, but nope.

[@davidng2336]

Does the bell still exist? I know it's a semi-rare sound on Exo trains in Montreal.

[@mercedes8192]

Yes it is very rare I caught in in montreal many times

[@mr.conductorfromsts4204]

They replaced the EMD Steel Bell into Canadian Electric Bell

[@davidng2336]

Thanks. Funny how they decided to keep the bell after the test.

[@IllinoisCentralVideography]

The bells are probably most commonly found on the INRD, where they are rapidly replacing the steel bells.

[@MOBlock]

Great catch man!

[@CaptainTransit]

I guess this retrofit allows them to save fuel and use electric mode to its full potential.

[@The09creeper]

Captain Transit all emd dm30ac have a electric mode

[@CaptainTransit]

Thanks captain obvious, I already know that.

[@stampycatfan01lol]

Very much so, though I’m willing to bet that the LIRR only does this because of Penn Station’s ban on using diesel engines unless absolutely necessary. It would be nice to see these use their electric mode more frequently.

[@DerexReal]

@@The09creeper All Dm30ac have electric mode but they appearently have to switch in diesel mode even in lines where 3rd rail still exist...I hope the new purchase, the Sc-42dm, will use E mode wherever is possible

[@jackslc01]

How long will the DM30AC/DE30AC remain in the LIRR?

[@supermarionathan1426]

Probably 3-4 more years as it would take a while until all of the Dual Mode Chargers are delivered.

[@CaptainTransit]

That bell actually doesn’t sound too bad...

[@LIMowersAndMore]

Captain Transit to bad? It hurts my ears.

[@CaptainTransit]

Would you rather it be a Transtronic or Graham White?

[@LIMowersAndMore]

Captain Transit I rather hear it as Graham white like the C3 cab cars but I can’t complain I just want to see these replaced it’s very very hard to find parts these locomotives are getting more costly to repair.

[@TBF_1J]

Damnn thats nice

[@El_Transportacoches_33]

This bell looks like more from a tramway that not of a train.

[@CaptainTransit]

I presume #500 was in electric mode as well?

[@EpicThe112]

Very quick acceleration for a dual-mode locomotive some cases these DM30AC operate a Ronkonkoma train via Central Branch that means electric mode Penn Station Babylon diesel mode Central Branch and back in electric Bethpage the Ronkonkoma station MacArthur Airport

[@rrrglynn]

They normally never operate in electric mode east of Woodside in revenue service. This was a test train. They especially don't run on electric on lines with grade crossings due to the shopping cart incident many years ago in Huntington which started a fire.

[@brandonayala4274]

@@rrrglynn R.I.P DM30AC 503

[@scottyerkes1867]

Interesting video!#

[@daveander22]

That bell is kinda creepy! Any official news as to when the possible retirement date is?

[@metronorthfoamer4085]

Probably 2024 or 2025.

[@daveander22]

@@metronorthfoamer4085 - Good. Lots of time to see them. Only been out there a couple times.

[@LIMowersAndMore]

Railfan0734 Productions well 2023 I know chargers will be testing on LIRR branches

[@averyrizzolo9082]

Battery locomotives with 3rd rail would be better, tbh

[@transportationfanner1841]

That’s the rare bell that AMT/Exo uses LIRR Has it to wow

[@superbaddy4]

I hope they put Ekybells on the entire fleet (if they haven't already).

[@davidng2336]

So far only this one has it. It’s pretty unique for sure.

[@superbaddy4]

They should put one on Tri-Rail GP49H-3 812 or 815. 816 was just recently retired because of an HEP Fire, and I think there should be another unique one besides just 817. That's all that's been on my mind today.

[@1catman132]

Soo... Assuming That Diesel Territory Will Turn Electric? Or Catinary (Siemens Chargers)?

[@CaptainJoey63]

They really couldn’t go with the E-Bell they have on the cab cars? Come on

[@NassauandSuffolkCountyRailfan]

Thats what i was think i mean Why cant DM30AC Try to use the Brand New Electric Bell Literally

[@daveander22]

@@NassauandSuffolkCountyRailfan - This is better.

[@stampycatfan01lol]

Most likely, the dual mode SC-44s will come with Graham-White e-bells.

[@NassauandSuffolkCountyRailfan]

The bell sounds wired on 518 why can’t they test the New Electric Bell

[@The09creeper]

It’s a rare electronic bell

[@Lirrfilmer2004]

What station was this at?

[@lirrprodigy2810]

Massapequa, can tell by the buildings surrounding

[@Lirrfilmer2004]

Jake Rothman oh ight

[@five0fan]

Wantagh.

[@lirrprodigy2810]

@@five0fan just realized the diner across the street, you're right, what time was this ?

[@Lirrfilmer2004]

@carfreelifeforme a few of them yea

[@TrainSounds]

What happened to it’s bell?

[@mr.conductorfromsts4204]

It got replaced by the Graham White E-Bell

[@MBTA.1035]

Good the ekyrail e-bell was annoying me I prefer the graham white e-bell

[@PriddhasPengu]

@@mr.conductorfromsts4204 Maybe not a Graham White in the purely traditional sense, I hear it's an Ekyrail speaker playing slightly slower Graham White chimes.

[@mercedes8192]

What a weird sounding bell

[@superbaddy4]

Oh, so you already noticed it!

[@transportationfanner1841]

I found that out a while ago

[@coffeecat4506]

Honestly I really hate the sc-44 because of how ugly it is, if the de/dm's were ever to be replaced I really hope they don't pick that eyesore to serve the montauk branch, although I'm all for the replacement of the c3's, new bi-levels would definitely be interesting...

[@Alrx7_]

I have some bad news for you my friend

[@coffeecat4506]

@@Alrx7_ I know, but maybe they will pick the alc-42 instead, (the better looking variation of the sc-44)

[@LestrainsdAlex]

Great vidéo 👍 +691

[@janechang3128]

There’s a difference between the dm30ac and de30ac,the dm sounds heavy and de is nothing more it’s Electric

[@Traintrooper]

I would rather giv it a e bell

[@The09creeper]

It has an e bell

[@bobbender2922]

That electronic Bell has to go

[@supermarionathan1426]

It won’t be getting off 518 anytime soon at least not until the Dual Mode Chargers replaces all of the DE/DM30ACs.

[@jrparikh-islam5665]

Lllllp

[@Traintrooper]

The bell sucks

[@IllinoisCentralVideography]

The bell sounds great