Exploring Innovation and Sustainability at Metrolink's Central Maintenance Facility

The journey begins with a group of USC students and their faculty, Professor Eric Shen, as they embark on a technical study tour of the Metrolink Central Maintenance Facility (CMF) after returning from spring break. Nestled within the city of Los Angeles in the Cypress Park community, CMF is key to Metrolink’s train operation supporting the fueling, maintenance, and meticulous inspection of rolling stock. Metrolink is a commuter rail system, which spans 6 different southern California counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside counties, and a small part of San Diego County. And great news! USC students, and all students, now can get free passes to ride Metrolink trains thanks to a new program!

General Operations

The tour commences with a safety briefing, showcasing Metrolink's commitment to rail safety. Beyond safety, the facility embodies a dedication to efficiency and sustainability, evident in every aspect of its operations. An example of this, which caught the attention of a few students, was the detailed records of delayed and cancelled trains on the whiteboard. This data is kept, encouraging the team to uphold efficient train maintenance practices.

The business model of Metrolink’s operations consist of Alstom contracted for maintenance and equipment, Amtrak for conductors and engineers to operate the Metrolink trains, TASI for operation of Arrow trains (one of the extension train lines), and Herzog which is responsible for track and signal maintenance.  

After the COVID-19 pandemic, Metrolink experienced a sharp decline in ridership across the board compared to pre-COVID levels. The shift to remote work which has continued even after meant fewer commuters relying on Metrolink services. In response to these shifting trends, Metrolink made strategic adjustments, including more evenly distributed train service on the Antelope Valley Line to better align with evolving commuter needs. This adaptability allowed Metrolink to remain agile in its service offerings.

Sustainability Commitments

It is no secret that trains have the potential to be very high consumers of diesel fuel. With air pollution concerns considered, Metrolink shows fierce dedication to decarbonizing the rail sector. Metrolink hopes to move towards hydrogen- or other zero-emission powered trains in the future, with one model already in delivery for the Arrow Line. In the meantime, Metrolink upgraded their current locomotives to be cleaner burning, now with 40 locomotives at Tier 4 EPA rating and 15 at Tier 2. Their goal is to have all locomotives at Tier 4 by 2030. Regulations from the California Resources Board (CARB) have also helped spur along the shift, allowing Metrolink to maintain compliance until other technologies are more advanced. 

One of the most impactful changes in Metrolink’s operations from a sustainability perspective includes the shift from regular diesel fuel to renewable diesel fuel two years ago. What makes this fuel renewable is that it is synthesized from feedstocks consisting of organic matter that have sequestered carbon during its lifetime, leading to a reduced emissions impact when the fuel is combusted in the locomotive. Renewable diesel also helps reduce the prevalence of problematic diesel particulate matter, one of the main pollutants in LA. This switch to cleaner fuel was beneficial from an economic standpoint as well. Thanks to the emergence of incentives on the purchase of renewable fuels, in this case a 13-cent reduction per gallon, Metrolink is able to achieve significant savings on fuel costs as more than eight million gallons of diesel fuel is consumed annually. 

Funding is always a struggle when it comes to sustainable technologies; therefore, Metrolink is in the process of receiving grants for fuel emissions standards. Metrolink is currently looking for technologies and systems that will help manage fuel consumption, potentially by measuring fuel usage and/or idle times of equipment to make more efficient use of fuel onsite. What makes these innovations so appealing to CMF is that there is no need to buy expensive or experimental equipment. 

Strategy team member Michelle Stewart, a fellow Trojan, shares Metrolink’s sustainability goals  

Community Relations

Metrolink seeks to maintain good relations with the local community.  When community members complained about the loud sounds coming from CMF, the Metrolink team listened to their concerns. One of the projects developed out of this community engagement effort was a noise dampening sound barrier. The feedback on the sound barrier has been positive. 

Maintenance Operation

After the safety briefing and information session on Metrolink sustainability, the students toured the maintenance facility. The CMF is equipped with cutting-edge tools and systems to ensure seamless operations and top-notch maintenance standards. One notable feature of the facility is its organized system for tools and Fastenal vending machines, providing workers with easy access to essential equipment and supplies on-site. The rigorous maintenance protocols are evident in the extensive care given to locomotives. Each locomotive is expected to last 30 years or more.

At CMF, the maintenance team conducts up to 500 inspections per year to identify and address any issues promptly. Given the substantial weight of locomotives, nearly 285,000 pounds, ensuring their structural integrity and functionality is paramount. Metrolink and other train sites are always open to share programs with other rail groups and agencies to improve overall train safety.  

The facility's innovative approaches extend to maintenance practices, such as "truing" locomotive wheels to prolong their lifespan and reduce maintenance frequency. "Truing" showcases a proactive approach to maintenance, where wheels are systematically monitored and managed to optimize performance and durability by cleaning of minor imperfections to prolong wheel life. Within the locomotive shop, advanced techniques like suspending locomotives for maintenance tasks or by lowering the floor with a “drop table” for accessibility demonstrates a commitment to ergonomic design and efficiency.

Locomotive Shop

"Truing"

Challenges faced by the maintenance team include obsolescent parts and difficulty getting the parts for replacement in general. Oftentimes, the locomotives have an assembly of components from various companies, so the mechanical & electrical engineering team helps upgrade or rehabilitate the equipment as needed. Regardless of the issue at hand, the maintenance team at CMF perseveres, proving themselves as the very foundation of the Metrolink rail system.