— Public and Private Investment Advances Railway’s Goal of a 100% Clean-Energy Locomotive Fleet by 2030 —
NEW YORK, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — New York & Atlantic Railway (NYA), an Anacostia Rail Holdings Company (ARH), has been awarded a $6.5 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program Grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), according to Marlon Taylor, president of NYA. The railway operates under a franchise agreement with the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), connecting Brooklyn, Queens, and Nassau and Suffolk counties to North America’s freight rail network.
This funding will be used to upgrade four locomotives within NYA’s fleet with Tier 4 locomotive technology, the strictest U.S. EPA standard for non‑road diesel engines, which will be provided by Cummins, a leader in global power solutions. The goal of the upgrade is to reduce emissions and improve operational performance.
The $6.5 million federal CRISI grant is part of a $10.9 million public and private investment to upgrade four New York & Atlantic Railway locomotives with cleaner technology. The project includes $2 million in funding from New York State and a $2.4 million investment by NYA, which has led efforts for years to secure public funding for these technology upgrades. Since 1997, NYA has invested $60 million, directly and through public grants, to improve the reliability and efficiency of freight rail operations.
The funding supports NYA and LIRR’s efforts to advance a five-year plan to convert NYA’s locomotive fleet to 100% Tier 4 compliance by 2030 and aligns with New York State’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.
The Tier 4 standard primarily targets a significant reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and particulate matter (PM) emissions while improving engine efficiency and fuel economy. Advanced particulate filters and selective catalytic reduction reduce PM and NOₓ levels by up to 90% on Tier 4 locomotives compared to earlier-tier engines.
NYA has already invested more than $1.6 million in green locomotive upgrades, including idle-minimization technology that reduces unnecessary engine idling, emissions, and noise in rail yards. The new Tier 4 engines will build on these improvements, providing a higher standard of emissions control and operational efficiency, with additional environmental and public health benefits for surrounding communities.
“It is reasonable to expect that NYA will be a leader in having the most technologically advanced fleet of locomotives in service anywhere in the country,” said Robert Wullschleger, Chief Mechanical Officer, NYA. “In fact, the extent of the modifications provided by the recent funding, coupled with our previous investment in upgrades, may justify setting new standards for cleaner emission locomotives.”
“We are grateful to our federal, state, and local officials who worked together in a bipartisan manner to help secure funding for this important environmental initiative,” said Mr. Taylor. “Upgrading NYA’s locomotives represents a major step toward our goal of a 100% green fleet by 2030 and our commitment to improving air quality and supporting healthier conditions for the neighborhoods along the rail corridor.”
“Investing in Long Island’s transportation infrastructure is critical to supporting our local economy,” said Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. “I was proud to support this funding, which will help modernize aging equipment and ensure our freight rail system continues to serve Long Island businesses and communities.”
“As the Assembly Member for the district that includes Fresh Pond Yard, the New York & Atlantic Railway’s main rail hub, I am so proud of what we have accomplished here together, ” said New York State Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi. “Since 2013, I have worked with my partners at NYA to secure funding for this transformative environmental and economic project — including in this state budget, when our team successfully unlocked a portion of those funds as the state match for the federal CRISI grant. With this, NYA will move significantly closer to fully replacing their freight locomotive fleet with engines at the Tier 4 emissions standard, the cleanest and greenest standard in the country. This shows public-private partnerships can work — at all levels of government. I am thrilled for the residents of Queens, and I congratulate NYA for what we have accomplished together.”
“I’ve been fighting to bring federal dollars back to Suffolk County, and it’s reassuring to see that advocacy delivers real results for Long Island. Congratulations to New York & Atlantic Railway on securing a federal grant to modernize upgrade its locomotives. These upgrades will help local businesses move goods more efficiently, support regional jobs and improve rail safety. This is an important investment in Long Island’s infrastructure and economic future,” said Congressman Nick LaLota (NY-01).
“I want to congratulate the New York & Atlantic Railway on this Federal CRISI Award, which will play an important role in their ‘100% Green by 2030’ initiative, ensuring that their entire fleet of locomotives will have the most advanced emission reduction technology available. This is an important environmental win for my constituents and all those who live along the tracks upon which they operate their freight, which is why I partnered with them in this year’s budget to secure a State match to this grant. This demonstrates the positive outcome when all levels of government work in tandem with the private sector to deliver the results our constituents need and ask for,” said State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.
“Soaring diesel fuel costs have made it more important than ever that we do everything we can to boost freight rail, which remains an efficient and cost-effective way to transport goods and reduce congestion on our highways,” stated New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. “The New York State Department of Transportation is proud to have supported — through our Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program — the New York & Atlantic Railway’s effort to upgrade its locomotives to Tier 4 emission standards, which will protect our environment while also boosting our economy.”
“Transport by rail is the most sustainable way to move goods on and off Long Island while reducing emissions, traffic congestion and roadway wear by diverting over 120,000 truck trips annually throughout the region,” said Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine. “The CRISI grant, along with funding from New York State and New York & Atlantic’s private investment, shows the power of bipartisan public-private partnerships in addressing some of our most pressing issues, including climate change, improving air quality and opening new opportunities for economic growth.”
“Queens residents will breathe a lot easier thanks to the emissions controls that will become a reality with this $6.5 million grant,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. “It is imperative that we continue to do all we can to limit harmful pollution from all sources, including our railroad network. I thank the Federal Railroad Administration for awarding this grant, and I commend the New York & Atlantic Railway for its diligence in working toward reducing emissions and improving the efficiency of its operations.”
“New York is fighting climate change by transitioning from polluting fossil fuels to clean energy, and green transportation is a critical piece of this transition,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “We are happy to congratulate the New York & Atlantic Railway on receiving this $6.5 million Federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant to minimize carbon emissions, reduce fossil fuel dependency, improve our local air quality, and lessen the overall environmental impacts of transporting goods. This is another important step towards protecting public health and our local environment while making Long Island more sustainable for the future. We look forward to NYA having the greenest fleet in the country soon!”
“A healthy and efficient rail system is critical to reducing air pollution caused by diesel truck traffic,” said Julie Tighe, President, New York League of Conservation Voters. “NYLCV commends the New York & Atlantic Railway for investing more than $1 million in green locomotive upgrades, and we congratulate them on receiving a $6.5 million CRISI Program grant to help build on their commitment to a more efficient, more sustainable future for our rails.”
Mr. Taylor recognized several federal, state and local officials who were instrumental in securing the total funding for what will be the cleanest fleet of locomotives in the country. Among them are: FRA Administrator David Fink and his team for the CRISI award; Congressmen Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota for their strong support in securing this federal grant; State Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. and NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez for securing the state match; Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine for his support of the grant; New York City Council Member Phil Wong for his advocacy for this sustainable initiative, and to Governor Hochul, MTA Chair Janno Lieber and the MTA Board, and LIRR President Rob Free for partnership through their November 2025 procurement to advance the vital second portion of the 100% Green by 2030 initiative.
About New York & Atlantic Railway
New York & Atlantic Railway began operation in May 1997 due to the privatized concession to operate freight trains on the lines owned by Long Island Rail Road. The railway serves a diverse customer base and shares track with the densest passenger system in the United States. New York & Atlantic Railway connects with major Class I and regional freight railroads across North America. For more information about New York & Atlantic Railway, visit https://www.anacostia.com/railroads/nya.
Contact: Don Miller
West End Strategies, Ltd.
516-330-1647
don@westendstrategiespr.com
Bill Corbett
Corbett Public Relations
516-428-9327
wjcorbett@corbettpr.com
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SOURCE New York & Atlantic Railway
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