Western Railroad Discussion > A very Colorful Line-up at Motive Power today

Hello

Typically photography at Motive Power by its employees is not allowed, but with the managers having seen my interest in the more artistic side of railroad photography, I have earned the privilege of bringing my camera to work with me on special occasions, or when a new locomotive is about to be shipped.

Today was one such day, as we are nearing completion on 6 different contracts, 5 of which were receiving their final touches today at what we call our "Finish Shop".

I had several employees today tell me that this might very well be the first time in the company's history that we had so many projects nearing completion at the same time.

I thought I would share with you 3 photos I captured of 5 different locomotives which were being finished and readied for shipment very soon. All 3 photos were taken as the locomotives were being tested and were being worked on and/or tested, and this was not a staged photo in any way. I had a 15-30 minute window to catch the images, before the locomotives were moved to other locations throughout our campus.

Without further ado, here are my images.

Photo #1 From left to right Sunrail MP32PH-Q, GO Transit MP40PH-3C (Tier 3), CFCLA (Australia) MP33C, MBTA HSP 46 and NYCT MP8AC-3.
Photo #2 A different angle after the NYCT Loco moved out for testing. This view shows a more detailed view of the new MBTA loco.
Photo #3 A closer view of our first finished Sunrail locomotive.

I was personally involved in helping to design both the Sunrail Locomotive and the NYCT Locomotive. My design contributions on Sunrail included the Clean air room and the HEP engine cooling hatch/cooling system. My design contributions on the NYCT Locomotive included the Carbody doors and HVAC system.

Thanks for looking.

RosevilleBill
Boise, Id.

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That is a wild assortment of locos there.How many of the MP33C's are ordered for CFCLA (aust).
Regards,DK

Wow, very colorful group of engines Bill. Looks like Sunrail only wanted half a cowl for their units.

Rich

Photo #1 From left to right Sunrail MP32PH-Q, GO Transit MP40PH-3C (Tier 3), CFCLA (Australia) MP33C, MBTA HSP 46 and NYCT MP8AC-3.

Q. Does the T (nick for MBTA) loco have an MPxxPH designation internally, or is a new model line for MPI?

When that unit tests on the North Side (where the T's EMD 1978/1980 F40's are currently powering trains), commuters will be in for quite a surprise.

* JB *

Did you happen to catch the number of the second GO unit (behind the NYTA in the first photo)?

So it looks like the Sunrail unit has a conventional long hood and an MP type cab. Is that the first one you've built that way?

The Boston unit looks pretty nice!

Jim B

GREAT catch! That is quite a big variety of locomotives!
Glad they happened to park them just so, where a great
photo could be taken -- just by happenstance!

prr4828 Wrote:
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> Q. Does the T (nick for MBTA) loco have an MPxxPH
> designation internally, or is a new model line
> for MPI?

The HSP46 is a ompletely new model with GE engine and electricals.

Thanks for posting, love the variety of models and colors. Great timing for an unstaged photo, glad they let you get these.

Natha

Posted from iPhone

Wow! Impressive lineup Bill. Not your typical photo of a passing train...you actually spent a lot of time designing and creating it!
Thanks for sharing.

Ryan Wilkerson
Fair Oaks, CA

Will the HSP46 be what the Amtrak Bases its next Diesel Locomotive Spec on? Would it fit the Hudson River Tunnels?

Sunrail 100 looks suspiciously like a VRE trade-in rebuilt with a new cab and nose.

Bill Miller
Galt, ON

Hello

Just a little info I can share.

The MBTA Locomotive is a joint venture between GE and MPI. The locomotive features a GEVO style engine similar to what is found on a typical freight locomotive. The HSP in the designation stands for High Speed Passenger, and is capable of speeds of 80mph+. The 46 stands for 4600hp. Although the trucks appear to be of the Blomburg style, they are a new design from the ground up.

The Sunrail locomotives are being built using the old MARC GP40 CWH-2 locomotives which were built for MARC by MK rail back in 1994. MPI purchased back these locomotives from MARC after we completed our contract with MARC for MP36 locomotives. These locomotives were quite the "Kit bash" back in 1994 utilizing old GP40 frames which were extended 39" to include a HEP compartment at the rear. The car-bodies were built from old SD 45 car-bodies. To make room for the HEP compartment, the rear sill steps were made from old tunnel motor locomotives. The original cabs were from old F45 locomotives. For Sunrail the old F45 cabs were replaced by our own MP Express style cabs, and the rest of the locomotive was rebuilt, with all new electronics installed.

The GO Transit MP40s are a Tier 3 variant of the older MP40's, with almost all the changes made internally, to bring them up into tier 3 compliance. I am sorry, as I did not catch the locomotive number for the GO locomotive in the background.

I know very little about the CFCLA locomotive, as I was not involved in this project at all. I know they are meant for usage as "Rental" locomotives for Australia, and are similar to the CBH locomotives we shipped out last year. Like the NYCT locomotive, the CFCLA locomotives feature Cummins engines as their prime movers.

The NYCT locomotives are my pride and joy, as I have spent most of my design efforts on this series of locomotives. MPI is currently in the process of building 28 of these locomotives for NYCT, and we have nearly completed this order. I have enjoyed the experience I have gained working closely with engineers from NYCT on this project, you could not find a more dedicated and professional staff than the nice employees at NYCT.

Thanks again for the nice comments.

RosevilleBill
Boise, Id.

Wow, thanks for posting these. Five VERY interesting and unique models all perfectly on display for you there.

Thanks!
- Jeff Carlson

Thanks for the follow up information as well as the very interesting photos. I shot some over the fence photos there 2 years ago (daughter's wedding was in Boise).

All you need now is a NY trip to escort those NYCTA locomotives and a few rides to check them out! (I started on my train interest on the subways and Els).

Jim B

Thanks for posting these photos roseville Bill. Definitely a colorful group of locos. Always nice to get an inside perspective. And, it always nice to see someone with obvious pride in their work. I am not a big fan of the "form follows function" design of today's passenger locomotives but for some reason that Sunrail locomotive appeals to me. I do not know if it is simply the nice paint job or if it is the rounded cab merged with the angular hood. Keep up the good work.

Jay

DKay Wrote:
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> That is a wild assortment of locos there.How many
> of the MP33C's are ordered for CFCLA (aust).
> Regards,DK


10

And the GO order is also for 10 units, 657-666. I think the unit in the photo is 658.

Total of 16

First order was for 10, second for 6

First units are already here

http://www.wabtec.com/upload/pressrelease/06.05.13%20-%20CFCLA%20Locomotives.pdf
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37494672@N06/9535520909/sizes/h/in/photostream/

Interesting comment about the NYCT. Back in the
circa 1980 time frame the NYCTA was extremely difficult
to deal with. There was one guy named Joe D----- in
particular who made life absolutely miserable for anyone
he came in contact with. Glad times have changed.

Thanks for posting these, and for the follow up info! Much appreciated!

- Dave