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New Study Finds That DMU Operating Cost Savings Add Up. It’s Like Purchasing Your Rolling Stock at As Much As a 69% Discount.

A new paper, “Economics of FRA-Compliant Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs),” details the significant cost savings that Colorado Railcar DMUs can provide over locomotive-hauled trains for various passenger capacities. This validates previous work that has shown that DMUs can save transit agencies millions of dollars in operating costs.

The study concludes that:

• DMUs may save as much as 28% on variable operating costs, which are defined as the sum of fuel, maintenance, and operating crew costs
• When DMUs cost more to purchase than traditional rolling stock, the difference can in several cases be paid back with as little as 2 years of operating cost savings
• Owning DMUs is like buying your rolling stock at as much as a 69% discount, when the DMUs’ lifetime operating cost savings over locomotive-hauled trains are taken into account.
  

Click here to download the paper and related materials, including the executive summary, the addendum, the PowerPoint presentation, and the educational flyer.

If you would like a copy of the study or the executive summary mailed to you, please email Christina Rader or call 303-857-1066 x115.

DMU Provides Significant Operational
Savings Over a Commuter Locomotive

FUEL CONSUMPTION COMPARISON

Locomotive Hauled Commuter Consist:

Fuel consumed during typical round-trip commute (60 miles):
120 to 180 gallons

Fuel consumed during typical round-trip commute (60 miles):
30 to 40 gallons

For more information - download the complete DMU Brochure