MPI MPXpress

MPI MPXpress
MP36PH-3C of New Mexico Rail Runner Express
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderMotivePower
Build date2003 (2003)–2024 (2024)
Total produced237
  • MP36PH-3S: 27
  • MP36PH-3C: 103
  • MP40PH-3C: 70
  • MP32PH-Q: 11
  • MP54AC: 26
Number rebuilt
  • MP36PH-3S: 27 (to MP36PH-3C)
  • MP40PH-3C: 1 (to MP54AC)
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARB-B
 • UICBo'Bo'
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Wheel diameter3 ft 4 in (1,020 mm)
Minimum curve248 ft (76,000 mm)
Wheelbase
  • 9 ft 0 in (2,740 mm) (original)
  • 9 ft 4 in (2,840 mm) (new)
Length68 ft (20.73 m)
Width10 ft 7.5 in (3,238 mm)
Height15 ft 6 in (4,720 mm)
Loco weight285,000 to 295,000 lb (129,000 to 134,000 kg)
Prime mover
Performance figures
Maximum speed
  • 82–102 mph (132–164 km/h) (MP36PH-3C, MP32PH-Q)
  • 93 mph (150 km/h) (MP40PH-3C)
  • 110 mph (180 km/h) (MP54AC)
Power output
  • 3,600 hp (2,700 kW) (MP36PH-3S, MP36PH-3C, MP32PH-Q)
  • 4,000 hp (3,000 kW) (MP40PH-3C)
  • 5,400 hp (4,000 kW) (MP54AC)
Tractive effort
  • 72,500–85,000 lbf (322–378 kN) (MP36PH-3C, MP36PH-3S)
  • 85,000 lbf (380 kN) (MP40PH-3C)[1]
  • 70,000 lbf (310 kN) (MP32PH-Q)
  • 82,900 lbf (369 kN) (MP54AC)
Career
OperatorsSee list

The MPI MPXpress is a line of diesel-electric locomotives built by MotivePower (a subsidiary of Wabtec) for commuter rail service. There are five MPXpress models: MP36PH-3S, MP36PH-3C, MP40PH-3C, MP32PH-Q, and MP54AC.

MPXpress locomotives were built with a high percentage of re-manufactured parts including diesel engines, major electrical components, trucks, and frames. Cabs, fuel tanks, electronics, HEP package, and other replaceable parts such as wheels and couplers were new when delivered. The re-manufactured components kept the price of locomotives down while providing like-new components with full warranty protection.[2] The new cabs also made the MPXpress the first production passenger locomotive that met U.S. federal crashworthiness requirements.

The MPXpress line has kept pace with increasingly stringent EPA locomotive emissions regulations, having provided the first—and in some cases, only—passenger locomotive for each of the four emission levels (tiers) that were specified by the EPA between 2002 and 2015.

The MPXpress is used by numerous public transit agencies in Canada and the United States; of them, GO Transit has the most, with 93 in their fleet.

As of 2023, Wabtec no longer lists the MPXpress in its locomotive portfolio.[3]

  1. ^ "LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY: Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) Technical Feasibility Analysis" (PDF). LTK Engineering Services. May 4, 2009. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  2. ^ "Metrolink Rail Fleet Management Report" (PDF). Metrolink. 2020. p. 32. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  3. ^ "Locomotive Equipment". Wabtec. Retrieved 2023-04-17.