MPI to build GEVO-powered commuter locos for MBTA

Trains Magazine Locomotives
1

This has to be a first, MPI building GE-based locos! MBTA has ordered 20 GEO-powered commuter locos MPI calls the HSP46.

/boston-orders-motivepower-hsp46-diesels.hthttp://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/viewml

The HSP46 is powered by a 12-Gevo, has AC-traction and most of it’s major components are supplied by GE. And of course it’s Tier-3 too. I think this is the first in a very long time GE-based locos have been manufactured in the US outside of Eire by a third party. Alco and MLW used GE-supplied components too for their locos and even had a partnership with GE for a time, though the 244/251 prime mover was still Alco’s. I wonder if GE’s letting MPI manufacture these GE-based commuter since it isn’t a large order and GE doesn’t want to commit to building a such a small number of passenger locos? Then again building commuter locos is what MPI’s well known for, even though until now their commuter locos are EMD-powered.

2

After reading the article, I noticed that MPI was the successful bidder on this proposal. This is actually an MPI design using GE components.

3

I feel like we already had a thread on this topic as this isn’t new.

I’ve been puzzling over how GE is going to make a Tier 3 GEVO so fast… I wonder if the solution is that MBTA is going to use Ultra Low Sulfer.

That still leaves the question of why MPI switched to GE sourcing. I have to wonder if it isn’t due to Progrssive/CAT’s purchase of EMD.

4

I’m not 100% sure, but I believe all diesel produced in the US and Canada is now ULSD, even the off-highway varieties…

5

Probably just that ‘easy, peasy GE financing’ that freight railroad execs like over the objections of their mechanical department …

6

Well, but GE isn’t financing these are they? MPI has their own Financing. It seems more likely that now that EMD is owned by Progressive, an MPI competitor, that they would switch Prime movers.

7

GE was the supplier of the 645F3 diesel engines used in all the MP36PH series locomotives, so no real switching of diesel engine suppliers is involved.

8

You might want to research that statement, and when you have, I think we’ll allow you to retract it…

9

It’s common knowledge in the industry that GE supplied the engines for the first MP36’s which were built for Chicago Metra. GE is a major source of replacement parts for EMD locomotives. EMD only supplied the engines (and alternators, traction motors, and controls) for the MP40’s. Some MP36’s got the new engines from GE, others used rebuilt EMD engines.

10

Better financing, maybe, but better reliability as well, probably why they chose GE, when EMD get there 4 stroke CAT engine going they will probably have a better loco.

11

In a similar vein, GE had the contract with IHB to provide the rebuilt GP40-2’s (4010-4019) and to rebuild almost of their SW1500’s. All of them still have 645 engines inside.

12

Good point. Although keep in mind that EMD has been and will continue to be one of the largest customers of MPI’s parent company; WABTEC (who make components used by all the North American manufacturers)…

13

More reliable according to whom?

I think if you took a poll of shop crew and road crews you’d get at best a dead split on reliability.

Didn’t MPI work as a contract manufacturer on on the F59PH/PHi? MPI has had that relationship for a long time.

The EMD 710G can be made Tier 3 compliant and is popular.

I didn’t realize that the MP36 motors came from GE. Are they new blocks or just re manufactured blocks?

I saw a statement elsewhere that they are “Improved” F blocks, but improved by whom? GE?

14

MPI use to contract out various components of their version of an ‘improved’ F block 645 engine. All these designs and tooling was sold off to GE. Most major components parts are manufactured in Poland.

15

The 645F uses an engine block/crankcase that was designed by MK Rail before they became part of WABTEC. I seem to remember reading at the time that they made it different enough that they didn’t have to pay a licensing fee to GM/EMD…