Passenger Trains > Alstom's Large Order for LIRR and Metro-North

Alstom press release from this past Monday announcing the order for 316 new M9A's(160 for LIRR and 
156 for Metro-North) for delivery beginning in 2029.  This will bring the retirement of the final 
M3's and M3A's on those two operators:
https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2025/7/alstom-provide-316-modern-comfortable-commuter-rail-cars-new-york-metropolitan-transportation-authoritys-long-island-rail-road-and-metro-north-railroad

For those of us not from the New York area Urban Transport Magazine in covering this new order
provided a nice summary of the EMU evolution from M3 to M9 on the M-N and LIRR over the last 40 years:

Commuter transport on Long Island and in the northern suburbs of New York has been characterised
by several generations of electric multiple units (EMUs) for decades. The oldest vehicles still 
in use are the Budd M3 and M3A, which were built in the mid-1980s and were based on the predecessor
M1 series. The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) received 174 units and Metro-North 142 M3As. These 
cars with direct current drive (approx. 640 hp per unit) and classic three-phase motors were 
introduced at the time as a replacement for the M1. Currently, around 94 M3s are still in service
with the LIRR and around 140 M3As with Metro-North.

From 2002, more modern M7 models from Bombardier replaced the older vehicles: 836 units went to the LIRR,
336 M7As to Metro-North. The railcars with IGBT-controlled three-phase AC drives, regenerative brakes 
and passenger information systems brought noticeable progress in terms of comfort and energy efficiency.

A further technological leap was made with the M8s, which have been in use on the New Haven Line at 
Metro-North since 2011. They were originally developed by Kawasaki/Bombardier for the Connecticut DOT 
and Metro-North. A total of 405 units were procured. The M8s are designed for operation with 750 V DC 
(Third Rail) as well as 12.5 kV and 25 kV AC overhead lines – ideal for the electrified routes from 
New Haven to Grand Central Terminal. They are equipped with air conditioning, multilingual displays, 
bicycle racks and voltage switching during the journey.

The first M9 railcars from Kawasaki Rail Car were used by the LIRR from 2019. To date, 202 vehicles have 
been delivered. The last trains were delivered to LIRR in May 2024. They are technically based on the M7 platform,
but offer improvements in passenger comfort, accessibility, information systems and energy efficiency.
The M9s are used on LIRR’s main line and electrified branch lines.

In July 2025, Alstom was awarded the contract to supply 316 new M9A units – 160 for the LIRR and 156 for 
Metro-North. The new vehicles are based on the M9 platform and will be manufactured entirely in the USA 
(Hornell, Plattsburgh, West Mifflin). With USB ports, barrier-free toilets, wider doors and modern IT security
standards, they fulfil the latest requirements for urban mobility. The first pilot vehicles are scheduled
to be delivered in 2029, with regular operation expected to begin in 2030. An option for a further 242
vehicles is part of the contract.

God I hope they switch to a different platform for the M7 replacement. Maybe bring back double leaf doors to reduce station dwell. 

"... M3As. These cars with direct current drive
(approx. 640 hp per unit) and classic three-phase motors ..."

Is there such a thing -- three-phase DC motors?
Classic or otherwise?

timz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "... M3As. These cars with direct current drive
> (approx. 640 hp per unit) and classic three-phase
> motors ..."
>
> Is there such a thing -- three-phase DC motors?
> Classic or otherwise?

The M3's and M3A's are powered by four  160 hp  GE 1261 DC motors
per car.  Is that their definition of a "classic" three-phase motor at a time
when AC motors had become more the industry standard?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/09/25 13:48 by milepost20.

milepost20 Wrote:
>
> The M3's and M3A's are powered by four  160 hp 
> GE 1261 DC motors
> per car.  Is that their definition of a "classic"
> three-phase motor at a time
> when AC motors had become much more commonplace?

Ther were built in 1985, and to be compatible with the 1968 M-1's, though their traction motors had less horsepower being it was a lighter car.  

While the railfan side of us wants to see the MNR M3As and the LIRR M3s stay, they are way beyond their useful lives. We'll have probably anywhere between 5-8 years to enjoy getting our photos of them and getting those cab rides in them before they retire. I look forward to the introduction of the M9A cars for both railroads. 

Just please please please have windows that remain transparent!!!