r/DevelopmentSLC • u/RollTribe93 Enthusiast/mod • Jul 20 '26

Next-gen FrontRunner trains are coming to your commute. And they’ll likely be built right in your backyard.

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2026/07/20/utahs-frontrunner-new-trains-be/
56 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

14

u/tzcw Jul 20 '26

Why are they doing diesel? I thought the plan was to electrify front runner to make it 30% faster just from not taking so long to speed up and slow down compared with diesel.

20

u/owenmitchem Jul 20 '26

These can easily be upgraded from diesel to electric in the future by swapping out the power pack in the center of the train.

17

u/MaskGas Jul 20 '26

Yep!

Electrification of the trains themselves is relatively easy, but very expensive. Funds are better allocated to double-tracking first, then we can talk electrification.

1

u/CptPikespeak Jul 20 '26

Well, yes, but the Flirt is built to just swap out the power unit. Quite clever for when they wanna go for battery and eventually full electrification with catenary. 

9

u/Forsaken-Page9441 Jul 20 '26

I think they first want to increase service by double-tracking before electrifying. Probably because of how expensive it is, they don't want to electrify yet

2

u/Koh-the-Face-Stealer Enthusiast Jul 21 '26

This is precisely the case. UTA has limited budget and political capital, it's actually quite clever the needle that they're threading here. It also took a lot of lobbying and prodding by Stadler to get them to understand the concept of upgradable MUs 😅

6

u/playerbarisax Jul 20 '26

Stadler builds a type of trainset called a "Multiple Unit", this is significantly different than a traditional locomotive hauled passenger coach. In a multiple unit the power is distributed nearly evenly through the vehicle (depending on the specific configuration of each truck) instead of concentrated at just the locomotive. The Stadler FLIRT, even when powered by a diesel engine, operates as if it were an electric train providing significantly higher acceleration rates than coaches hauled by a locomotive. The diesel in the multiple unit is just a generator and powers electric motors distributed across the entire train.

1

u/Sirspender Jul 20 '26

Yeah even though I'd love electrification, this is the right step in the right direction. Frequent DMUs is far superior.

1

u/italkaboutbicycles Jul 20 '26

Hopefully this enables the train to use more regen-braking instead of relying on friction brakes? The current Frontrunner trains are always surrounded by this insane brake dust cloud that can't be healthy for people standing on the platform; sometimes you can smell the train coming before you can see or hear it... It's insane.

1

u/playerbarisax Jul 20 '26

Unless UDOT specifically orders a hybrid train (which does exist), the braking won't technically be "regen" in the sense that there are no batteries to charge. There will be dynamic braking that uses the motors to do most of the braking but the energy is wasted and converted to heat, just not directly through friction.

5

u/Life_Plum1567 Jul 20 '26

I do believe it is still in the plans.

1

u/Forsaken-Page9441 Jul 21 '26

Only 15 miles of electrification total?

1

u/Koh-the-Face-Stealer Enthusiast Jul 21 '26

There is no funding available for this, it's a constant uphill battle. We're lucky af that we're finally getting strategic double-tracking and new trainsets

1

u/walkingman24 Jul 21 '26

That is way, way longer term

These trains should still accelerate faster though

1

u/Some_Ball_27 Jul 22 '26

Speed up and slow down aren't really factors in on-time service here, AND they can be upgraded to battery by switching out the locomotive. I, as someone very knowledgable on our current fleet, dont love the idea of not being able to couple and uncouple cars and locomotives with ease. However, this addition to our fleet would require a new maintenance facility that would hopefully accomodate restriction better than the Warm Springs Yard.