MPI HSP46

MPI HSP46

300px MBTA locomotive #2001 crosses the Charles River Bridge en route to the MBTA Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility, shortly after its first revenue run on April 16, 2014.

Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder MotivePower, Inc. Model HSP46 Build date 2013-2014 Total produced 40

Specifications AAR wheel arr B-B UIC class Bo′Bo′ Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Trucks MPI MP1114, 4-wheel, cast frame w/ traction pivot Wheel diameter Unknown Minimum curve 20 degrees (288 ft 0 in (87.78 m) Wheelbase 45 ft 0 in (13.72 m) (between truck centers) Length 71 ft 0 in (21.64 m) Width 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m) Height 15 ft 4.5 in (4.686 m) Axle load 72,500 lb (32,885 kg) Max Adhesive weight 100% Loco weight 287,500 lb (130,408 kilograms) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 2,000 US gal (7,600 L; 1,700 imp gal) Coolant cap 360 US gal (1,400 L; 300 imp gal) Prime mover GE GEVO-12 RPM range 440-1050 (600-1050 while supplying HEP) Engine type 45° V12, four stroke cycle diesel engine Aspiration Turbocharged Displacement 188.5 L (49.8 US gal; 41.5 imp gal) Alternator GE 5GMG211 Traction Alternator with Integral HEP winding, Single bearing Traction motors 4 GE GEB-15 AC Traction Motors Cylinders 12 Cylinder size 15.7083 liters (958.58 cu in) Transmission AC-DC-AC MU working Yes Train heating Locomotive-supplied head-end power; Inverter HEP IGBT based w/ capacitor/inductor filtration 804 hp (600 kW), 3 phase ,480 VAC Loco brake Electropneumatic w/ blended dynamic braking Train brakes Electropneumatic Safety systems ATC / ACSES / PTC

Performance figures Maximum speed (design) (service) Power output At alternator: 4,650 hp (3,470 kW) At wheel (HEP dependent): ~4,300 hp (3,200 kW) to ~3,500 hp (2,600 kW) Tractive effort 289.14 kN (65,000 lbf) starting Factor of adh 4.423

Career Operators Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Numbers 2000-2039 Locale Boston Delivered October 24, 2013 - First run April 16, 2014

Sources:

The MPI HSP46 is a four-axle AC-traction diesel-electric locomotive for commuter trains, designed and assembled by MotivePower, Inc. It meets EPA Tier 3 emissions standards. The launch customer is the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), whose first unit entered revenue service in April 2014.

History

MBTA locomotive #2001, a brand new MPI HSP46, arrives at Reading on its first revenue round trip on April 16, 2014

The MBTA Board of Directors voted, on July 14, 2010, to approve the purchase of 20 new HSP46 locomotives from MotivePower, Inc. These are powered by GE GEVO-12 diesel engines from GE Transportation Systems, equipped with a static inverter for head end power, and capable of meeting the stringent new Tier 3 emissions regulations. AC traction systems, prime movers, head end power equipment, and computer systems are supplied by GE, while MPI supplies the brake systems, air systems, and cooling systems.

On July 27, 2011, the MBTA released images of a new paint scheme which will be applied to the authority's HSP46 fleet. It was chosen by the general public in an online survey.

On July 11, 2012, the MBTA Board voted to approve the first option for 7 locomotives, bringing the order total to 27 units (2000-2026). On April 10, 2013, the Board approved the purchase of the remaining 13 option locomotives, bringing the current order total to 40 units (2000-2039).

On October 24, 2013, the first pilot unit, #2001, was delivered to the MBTA Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility to begin testing and training. Two other pilot units were also released from Motive Power Industries: #2000 to GE's Test Facility in Erie, Pennsylvania, and #2003 to the Transportation Technology Center, Inc. test facility in Pueblo, Colorado. Only #2001 was given the MBTA paint scheme; the other two test units were unpainted.

On April 16, 2014, #2001 entered revenue service, with its first round trip taking place on the Haverhill Line. As of October 2015, 36 of the 40 locomotives are in service. En route to the MBTA, the locomotives were sent to the Providence and Worcester Railroad, who is subcontracted to MPI to prepare the units for revenue service.

In August 2014, MPI discovered that some traction motor bearings had been shipped improperly to their factory, causing early failures. Locomotives already delivered to the MBTA were repaired on site, while half of the locomotives were redirected to Altoona Works during delivery for replacement bearings to be installed. The issues were not disclosed to the press until January 2015. While the repairs - considered to be under warranty - are being performed at no cost to the MBTA, they constitute an additional delay which will cause some of the units not to enter service until the end of 2015. The multiple delays and early mechanical issues have raised concern from industry commentators about the MBTA's procurement process and the overall quality of the locomotives.

External links

• Media related to at Wikimedia Commons
• MotivePower, Inc.
• GE Transportation
• HSP46 spec sheet