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New MARC Diesel Locomotives Coming Soon

MARC’s new MP36 diesel locomotives will be arriving soon to provide more reliable service for MARC patrons. MARC’s MP36 locomotives have increased horsepower, 3600HP vs. 3000HP, and a larger Head-End Power (HEP) unit to provide power, both tractive effort and vehicle electricity, for longer trains. New electronics will provide increased fuel economy and reduced emissions. MARC’s MP 36 locomotives are EPA compliant. The MARC 10, the first locomotive off the assembly line at Motive Power located in Boise, Idaho, is scheduled to arrive at Pueblo, CO. on March 9, 2009. It will be instrumented and testing will be performed on March 16-18. MARC 11 departed Motive Power for transportation to MARC’s locomotive facility in Baltimore, Md. with the expected arrival date of April 2. After arrival in Baltimore, locomotives will undergo additional testing for 2-4 weeks to prepare for service. Stay tuned for more information in upcoming newsletters.

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Laurel Station Improvements

You may have noticed the construction fencing at the MARC Laurel Station on the Camden Line. This is all in preparation for some much needed station improvements that will take place over the next six months. Recently Vice President Biden paid a visit to the station in an effort to examine how stimulus funds would benefit our commuters. This project was previously halted due to the state budget deficit. New additions include a new southbound platform, new foundation for passenger walkways, and new lighting. New handicap ramps will be constructed as well as a new entrance to the platform. In addition, the historical station will receive some remedial work to the outside of the building. Expect all construction and changes to be completed by October 2009.

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New Commuter Bus Schedules for Routes 922 & 950

Funding was reduced for some of the temporary express trips that were added to the 922 & 950 bus routes during the Chesapeake Bay Bridge work last fall. Since that time, Commuter Bus ridership from Kent Island for these routes has grown respectively and several of these newly added trips are proposed to be incorporated into the regular schedules. New schedules for Routes 922 and 950 became effective on Monday, March 2, 2009.

Visit www.mtamaryland.com to view the complete schedules.

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Meet the MARC/Commuter Bus Managers

The MTA Management will be on location to listen to any questions and concerns you may have.

• Wednesday, March 18th at the Edgewood Recreation/Community Center from 6:00pm-9:00pm located at 1980 Brookside Dr., Edgewood, Maryland 21040. Both MARC and Commuter Bus Managers will be present at this location.

• Tuesday March 24th at the Perryville MARC Station 5:30pm-8:00pm.

• Thursday March 26th at the Martin Airport Station 5:00pm-8:00pm.

Visit www.mtamaryland.com for further information on up coming MARC Train and Commuter Bus meetings for April and May.