ZEMU

In the early 1990s, SBCTA acquired the abandoned Pacific Electric San Bernardino Railroad line, that included the nine miles between San Bernardino and Redlands, with the intent to reestablish a rail connection through the corridor. The effort was also driven by a commitment SBCTA made to area voters as part of the county’s Measure I half-cent sales tax.  

Early in the project, refurbished Metrolink diesel locomotives were planned to run on the new line, but area residents challenged that idea. Instead, they pressed SBCTA for a cleaner rail option to address the region’s air quality challenges. 

Proudly accepting that challenge and making a commitment to cleaner rail transit for San Bernardino County residents, SBCTA returned from the drawing board having identified the cleanest diesel engine train available: a Diesel Multiple Unit, or DMU. The train is smaller, quieter, and a more efficient rail vehicle than traditional diesel locomotives operating throughout the country. 

SBCTA ordered three DMUs from Stadler, a Swiss train maker with locations worldwide. The trains destined for SBCTA were built at Stadler’s Utah location, satisfying the federal Buy America Act requirement. The Buy America Act requires all iron, steel, manufactured products and construction materials used on a public infrastructure project receiving federal money to be made in the U.S. 

The modernized rail line, known today as Metrolink’s Arrow Corridor along the San Bernardino Line, would once again reconnect people from Redlands to San Bernardino but in a much more environmentally friendly way. The line would also create more transit connection options, including ones to reach destinations in neighboring counties. Daily service to and from Downtown Los Angeles Union Station would be available from the Redlands – Downtown Station. The new line would also create connections to Omnitrans bus services, Riverside Transit Agency, Mountain Area Regional Transit, and Victor Valley Transit Authority Commuter Express. 

 As part of the Arrow Corridor’s construction, five new bridges were built and 24 at-grade train crossings were enhanced with safety features. Each aspect of the project continues to prioritize safety and being a good neighbor for the communities it passes through. The Federal Railroad Administration also granted SBCTA quiet zones along the 9-mile route to reduce the amount of train horns residents, businesses and visitors hear each day

While the new 9-mile track between San Bernardino and Redlands was being built, SBCTA continued to explore the possibility of a zero or near-zero-emission technology that would allow the conversion of the DMUs and integrate into the existing heavy rail infrastructure. In its drive to bring cleaner transportation to its residents and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the San Bernardino basin, SBCTA petitioned the California State Transportation Agency to support such a project. 

In 2018, SBCTA received a $30 million Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program grant from the California State Transportation Agency to help fund the research and procurement of a passenger rail vehicle. 

In 2023, SBCTA received an additional $15,772,000 grant from the California State Transportation Agency in support of ZEMU.

Shortly after the grant award, SBCTA conducted an alternative fuel technology study to determine the zero or near-zero-emission option most suitable for the Arrow corridor, which could also be expandable to Los Angeles Union Station and other areas in California. The study identified the hydrogen and battery hybrid technology as the best fit for the needs of San Bernardino County and beyond. And the Zero-Emission-Multiple-Unit (ZEMU) was born. 

SBCTA’s innovative commitment to cleaner passenger rail service and finding creative, sustainable solutions is creating a framework that other agencies across California are starting to follow.

In fall 2019, then SBCTA President Darcy McNaboe signed a contract with Stadler representatives Martin Ritter and Dr. Ansgar Brockmeyer to build a ZEMU rail vehicle for the county’s Arrow line between San Bernardino and Redlands. The signing was a historic moment for SBCTA and Stadler because it marked the first ZEMU hydrogen train destined for North America. 

The Arrow Maintenance Facility (AMF) was built to serve as a maintenance hub and fueling station for the DMUs. 

Integrating ZEMU with the existing AMF required few modifications.  To accommodate ZEMU, a hydrogen fueling station is under construction and the existing maintenance building is being retrofitted to comply with state and local requirements for the use of hydrogen fuel. Modifications include installation of a hydrogen leak and flame detection system and upgrade to the ventilation and fire suppression system.  

Construction is expected to finish in summer 2025.  

During construction, a temporary hydrogen fueling station will be located at the AMF to support ZEMU while in testing and early operation. 

ZEMU is expected to begin service on Metrolink’s Arrow corridor along the eastern portion of the San Bernardino Line in 2025.  

Explore more about the project through the embedded website below. It’s a one-stop resource to learn about the project, scroll through captivating photos, access key documents, and discover other essential information