It may have taken more time than hoped, but on Tuesday, May 24, sets of Shore Line East trains stopped chuffing diesel and began a new, electric era.

Shore Line East has rolled out new, M8 Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains which tout no carbon emissions, a quieter and smoother ride, larger windows and more leg room, higher seat backs, on-board electrical outlets at each seat, updated handicapped accessible restrooms and improved luggage racks.

While all trains will run an M8 set, Shore Line East reports that, due to current infrastructure and operational limitations, trains 1646 and 1697 will have bus service between Old Saybrook and New London; and bus travel times may vary due to traffic. Additionally, select trains have what Shore Line East termed "minor time adjustments to accommodate the M8 operation." Details and schedules are available at ShoreLineEast.com.

With local shoreline stops at stations in Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, Guilford and Branford, Shore Line East provides commuter rail service at stations stretching from New London to Union Station in New Haven. There, on May 24, Shore Line East's inaugural  M8 ride was undertaken by Governor Ned Lamont, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLaura, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal,  Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe Giulietti, Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Safety Specialist Peter Lapré, MTA Metro-North President/Long Island Rail Road Interim President Catherine Rinaldi, Amtrak Assistant Vice President Tom Moritz, and state elected officials and community partners, according to a press release from Gov. Lamont's office.

In a statement issued in the release, Lamont noted, "These electric trains coming into service are an important milestone for Shore Line East. It is an improvement that has been long awaited, and has been delivered. We are speeding up transportation in the state and saving people time in their day. At the same time, we are fighting climate change by investing in cleaner, greener transportation. We are making investments in statewide rail travel and delivering on the promise to make our trains faster, quieter, and more efficient."

Commissioner Giulietti noted on May 24 that Shore Line East electric trains have been a subject of discussion for "...many years, and there were a lot of hurdles to overcome."

"Today's service changes took the group efforts of CTDOT, Amtrak, Metro-North Railroad and the Federal Rail Administration. Thank you to all who were involved to get us over the finish line," Giulietti continued. "Beyond the direct environmental benefit, these trains are quieter inside and out, offer a more comfortable ride and have improved amenities I know riders will enjoy. I hope the public will come out and try the Shore Line East service."

Both Moritz and Rinaldi noted the newer all-electric M8 trains will improve the customer experience with faster, more reliable service.

While the M8 EMU trains are new to Shore Line East, M8 EMU trains have been in service on Metro-North's New Haven Line for more than ten years and "...have performed very well," the press release further noted.

To view the current SLE schedule and check news and alerts, visit ShoreLineEast.com.