The MotivePower subsidiary of Wabtec Corp. has signed a $45 million contract with Ontario government agency Metrolinx, which operates the regional transportation authority for Toronto, to repower 11 locomotives with new engines and propulsion systems.

MotivePower built the fleet of locomotives five years ago, and this contract will allow Metrolinx to upgrade the units to meet "significantly higher environmental standards," the organizations say. The new engines will fulfill Tier 4 EPA emission standards and include technology that reduces diesel particulate emissions by about 85% and NOx emissions by about 75%.

"These will be the first North American passenger locomotives to be equipped with Tier 4 technology," says Albert J. Neupaver, Wabtec's president and CEO. "We believe MotivePower is well positioned to participate further in this market by offering similar environmental upgrades to existing diesel-electric commuter locomotives throughout North America as the new standards are phased in over the next several years."

The company says it will begin making deliveries of the new locomotives in 2014.