The GM (Electromotive Division) Dual Mode 3000 horsepower diesel is the newest addition to the LIRR fleet. Along with matching new C3 double decker passenger cars, these sleek engines ply the length of Long Island from its far tip at Montauk Point to Pennsyvannia Station in New York City.

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Roughly half the length of the island has electric cars operating on third-rail power. On the outer rural half of the island, however, the diesel rules the tracks. The express from Montauk thunders along the tracks, harmonic horn blaring its grand music, bringing commuters from the far reaches of exurbia into the city in speed and comfort.

Some of the engines are equipped with third-rail power collection shoes so that they can enter the train tunnels under New York City under electric power (DE30AC and DM30AC models, the latter is dual-mode). It is interesting to note, also, that catenary is over the tracks entering the City for the Amtrak cars in the Queens, LI yards.

The pictures on this page may all look the same to some. Well, perhaps they are; taken on a day, near the end of the last Millennium, when systems were being tested with back and forth shunting at a station in Queens, the photos are intended to portray the detailed majesty of this modern diesel engine.

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