MTA NYCT Snow Thrower Transfer
On the night of February 25-26, 2026, there were a few interesting work train moves that passed through the Jay Street-Metrotech Station in Brooklyn, New York, including 3 separate work trains powered by brand new R255 Battery-Hybrid locomotives. Snow-fighting equipment that had been deployed for the most recent winter storms was returning from assignment to the Rockaways out of Pitkin Yard. The snow-throwing train had just cleared a section of track and still had snow on its brushes. More details about the equipment are below.
YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/MzcmCA46YwA Full resolution pics and prints:
https://www.riverrailphoto.com/cdivision https://www.riverrailphoto.com/subway https://www.riverrailphoto.com/nycsubway Rapid Snow Removal System (RSRS) - R146 Snow Thrower (ST 201) and R190 (ST306) were manufactured by the same company, RPM Tech. From the manufacturer - "The Rapid Snow Removal System (RSRS) is a powerful advanced design for railroad snow removal and track operations. It consists of a rotary fan type snow blower, a spot casting chute, and a sweeper allowing to blow away snow from rails and clear rail ties. It is also possible to add an optional retractable side broom for third rail clean up."
More from RPM Tech:
https://grouperpmtech.com/en/equipements/rsrs The Wabtec WAB6HYB/R-255 is a 675hp hybrid work locomotive designed for the demands and clearances of the New York City Subway system. The diesel engine charges the batteries, which will allow the locomotive to operate for 8 hours. This will allow a new generation of locos to pull work trains through the subway with a much lower level of emissions. MTA NYCT Subway presently rosters 90 diesel engines that operate on non-revenue work trains. The NYCT is adding this 25 unit order of R-255s, as well as 45 additional units under a contract option, and the 10 R-77Es under conversion to R-257s by CAD Railway Industries to increase the size and flexibility of the fleet.
More from Wabtec:
https://www.wabteccorp.com/newsroom/press-releases/wabtec-secures-386-million-order-from-new-york-s-mta-for-new-locomotives
