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 .
38-437: 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. The new cabs also made
76-542: A Seahawks game train on December 21, 2003. Regular service started on December 22 with one morning train to Seattle and one evening train back. A second round trip train was added on June 6, 2005, to help increase ridership, a third was added in September 2007. In September 2008, an additional train was added to the line, bringing the total number to four round trips in the peak direction. On May 31, 2008, service to Mukilteo station began. There are currently three stops along
114-582: A new diesel engine may have lower fuel consumption, reduced exhaust emissions and better reliability. Recent examples include British Rail Class 57 and British Rail Class 43 . There are three main types of remanufacturing activities, each with different operational challenges. Remanufacturing by Recoating of Worn Engine Parts In addition to these is a less significant type of remanufacturing, remanufacturing by recoating of worn engine parts. This type of remanufacturing serves many engine parts and other large and expensive components that become worn after
152-447: A period of use. An example is the engine block, in particular the cylinder engine bores, which must withstand combustion. Instead of disposing of engine blocks, remanufacturing enables re-use by coating them with plasma transferred wire arc spraying ( PTWA ). Remanufacturing by recoating of parts is also popular in aviation and with geothermal pipe. Sounder commuter rail Sounder commuter rail ( reporting mark SDRX )
190-613: A remanufactured machine should match the same customer expectation as new machines. In 1995, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented the Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG) program to promote waste reduction and resource conservation through the use of materials recovered from solid waste, and to ensure that the materials collected in recycling programs will be used again in
228-810: A series of industrial processes in a factory environment, a discarded product is completely disassembled. Useable parts are cleaned, refurbished, and put into inventory. Then the product is reassembled from the old parts (and where necessary, new parts) to produce a unit fully equivalent and sometimes superior in performance and expected lifetime to the original new product". Furthermore, the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) realized that communication problems can arise when people from different countries with different language skills talk about remanufacturing. Certain terms can have different meanings as definitions between countries and individuals vary. In 2013, APRA
266-774: A total of ten MP40PH-3Cs to the new MP54AC standard; it later ordered 16 additional newly built MP54AC locomotives that would go toward replacing the aging F59PH locomotives that were currently in service. The MP54AC competes with other Tier 4 compliant locomotives, such as the Siemens Charger series and the EMD F125 . Both the MP54AC and F125 have struggled to find customers, unlike the Charger series, which has sold more than 350 units including large orders from Amtrak and Via Rail . Remanufacturing Remanufacturing
304-419: A valid permit to travel) before boarding trains. Sound Transit fare inspectors or police officers randomly board trains and check for valid proof-of-payment, issuing warnings or fines to passengers without valid proof-of-payment. Passengers using ORCA cards are charged the maximum fare from the station they are traveling from and are issued a permit to travel when they tap before boarding and, if necessary, receive
342-456: Is "the rebuilding of a product to specifications of the original manufactured product using a combination of reused, repaired and new parts". It requires the repair or replacement of worn out or obsolete components and modules. Parts subject to degradation affecting the performance or the expected life of the whole are replaced. Remanufacturing is a form of a product recovery process that differs from other recovery processes in its completeness:
380-426: Is a commuter rail service operated by BNSF on behalf of Sound Transit . Service operates Monday through Friday during peak hours from Seattle, Washington , north to Everett and south to Lakewood . In 2023, the system had a ridership of 1,630,000, or about 7,300 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024. As of 2017 , schedules serve the traditional peak commutes, with most trains running inbound to Seattle in
418-498: Is planned to be located adjacent to an existing park and ride lot at Interstate 5 and Center Drive. In addition, Sound Transit plans to extend station platform lengths on the S Line to accommodate trains up to ten cars in length, up from the current seven, and increase service. Both programs were included in the Sound Transit 3 ballot measure and were originally scheduled to be fully completed by 2036, but were also delayed by
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#1732780108564456-618: Is the latest locomotive in the MPXpress family and the only model available for sale in the US. It is designed to both meet the EPA's stringent Tier 4 emissions standard and offer higher performance than the MP40PH-3C. The MP54AC is a genset locomotive , using a pair of Cummins QSK60 60-liter, 16-cylinder engines rated at 2,700 hp each (5,400 hp total) and during periods of low power demand,
494-576: The Point Defiance Bypass project. Funding for constructing the two stations was approved in the 2016 Sound Transit 3 ballot measure and is expected to cost $ 300 million. It was originally scheduled to open in 2036, but was delayed to 2045 due to a systemwide funding gap caused by increased planning costs. The Tillicum station is planned to be located near the intersection of Interstate 5 and Berkeley Street Southwest, adjacent to Joint Base Lewis–McChord . The terminus at DuPont station
532-467: 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. The MP36PH-3S used a 16-cylinder EMD 645 F3B diesel engine as its prime mover , capable of generating 3,600 hp . Head-end power (HEP) was generated by a static inverter that received its power through connections to the prime mover (hence
570-422: The "S" (static) designation). Compared to a locomotive with a separate HEP generator, the prime mover had to constantly maintain a higher RPM in order to supply power to the passenger cars. The setup was simpler but lead to higher noise levels and higher fuel consumption. When providing the maximum 500 kW HEP load, maximum traction power is reduced to 2,930 hp since HEP generation diverts some power from
608-624: The MP36PH-3C specification. The MP36PH-3C has the same EMD 645F3B prime mover as the MP36PH-3S model, but with a separate head-end power generator, a Caterpillar C-27 (3412 before 2005). The launch customer for the MP36PH-3C was Caltrain , a commuter railroad in the San Francisco Bay Area . Caltrain ordered 6 of these locomotives in 2003, which were built and delivered that same year. This locomotive has gone on to become
646-598: The MP40PH-3C to comply with the EPA's more stringent Tier 3 emissions standard, which was in effect between 2012 and 2014. Three locomotives meeting this standard were built, all delivered to Sounder commuter rail in the Seattle area. Ten additional locomotives for GO Transit are also Tier 3 compliant. The MP32PH-Q was built from 2013 to 2014 for SunRail . They have similar specifications as new MPXpress locomotives, but are rebuilt and refurbished from units that had previously operated on MARC as GP40WH-2 locomotives. Inside
684-547: The MP54AC. The first prototype unit was built by converting a MP40PH-3C owned by GO Transit (unit 647). MotivePower removed the EMD prime mover and HEP motor and replaced them with the twin Cummins engines. Heavy modifications were made to the body to accommodate extra air intake and exhaust stacks. Unit 647 was delivered to GO Transit late 2015 and was seen under testing on December 12, 2015. Initially GO Transit had planned to convert
722-507: 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
760-434: The N Line was roughly 1,100 in 2010 and was about 1,561 in the first quarter of 2016. Trains on the N Line have been prone to frequent cancellation due to mudslides throughout its history, though WSDOT has begun construction to remedy the problem. Sound Transit plans to add additional S Line stations at Tillicum and DuPont . The track has already been constructed by Sound Transit with funding from WSDOT as part of
798-662: The N Line: Edmonds , Mukilteo , and Everett . Additionally, Sound Transit partners with Amtrak Cascades to allow Sounder riders to use the two trains per day that Amtrak Cascades operates to Bellingham, WA and Vancouver, BC through the RailPlus program. This allows commuters to use the Sounder fare structure between Everett and Seattle. The program is available only to riders who use monthly passes. The Amtrak Cascades trains do not stop at Mukilteo nor does Amtrak's Empire Builder from Chicago, Illinois . Weekday ridership on
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#1732780108564836-407: The S Line, with three operating in the reverse commute direction. In July 2010, Sound Transit reached a new agreement with BNSF, valued at $ 185 million, which grants Sound Transit permanent access to the S Line corridor, as well as allowing four more daily round trips to begin, starting in 2012 and continuing through 2016. On October 8, 2012, the extension to South Tacoma and Lakewood stations
874-597: The average ridership has increased and as of October 2015 stood at 14,500 per day. In 2019, S Line ridership was 16,419 per day. [REDACTED] In May 2003, Sound Transit agreed to a $ 250 million lease arrangement with BNSF to use its Everett-to-Seattle tracks for 100 years. On December 17, 2003, the Sound Transit board approved a modified agreement that gave it a perpetual right to use the Everett-Seattle tracks for $ 258 million. The 35-mile (56 km) Everett-to-Seattle N line (formerly North Line) started with
912-595: The benefits said to be improvement to business margins, revenues and security of supply. The United States remanufacturing industry grew by 15% between 2009 and 2011, and in 2020 it accounted for 2% of all manufacturing in the US and 1.9% in the European Union. Many formal definitions of remanufacturing exist in the literature, but the first published report on remanufacturing, by R. Lund (1984), describes remanufacturing as "... an industrial process in which worn-out products are restored to like-new condition. Through
950-401: The combined term 'rebuild/remanufacture'. The term 'rebuilding' is also often used by railway companies; a steam locomotive may be rebuilt with a new boiler or a diesel locomotive may be rebuilt with a new engine . This saves money (by re-using the frame, and some other components, which still have years of useful life) and allows the incorporation of improved technology. For example,
988-476: The locomotive can operate on just one engine to reduce noise pollution and boost fuel efficiency. The 5,400 total horsepower qualifies the MP54AC as the most powerful diesel-electric passenger locomotive in North America, both currently and historically. Currently, the MP54AC can be built as new or by having existing MPXpress locomotives rebuilt to the standard. GO Transit was the launch customer for
1026-468: The locomotive, the 3,000 hp EMD 16-645E3C prime mover has been rebuilt and electronics have been upgraded using the same equipment as other MPXpress locomotives, as well as a horsepower upgrade from 3,000 to 3,600. On the exterior, the MP32PH-Q retains the hood unit layout of the former GP40WH-2, but a new four-window MPXpress cab replaces the original cab. The MP54AC (also known as MP40PHTC-T4AC)
1064-494: The manufacture of new products. The EPA is required to designate products that are or can be made with recovered materials, and to recommend practices for buying these products. Once a product is designated, state and federal procuring agencies are required to purchase it with the highest recovered material content level practicable. In 2004, the EPA published its third CPG update (CPG IV) which designated seven additional products and revised three existing product designations. One of
1102-859: The morning and outbound in the afternoon. Three daily round-trips run the reverse commute to and from Tacoma . Additional Sounder trains operate on some Saturdays and Sundays for travel to and from Seahawks and Sounders games at Lumen Field and Mariners games at T-Mobile Park . Both stadiums are a short walk from King Street Station . [REDACTED] The S Line (formerly the South Line) began service with two round trip trains on September 18, 2000, with stops in Tacoma , Sumner and Auburn that terminated in Seattle. Puyallup and Kent stations were added February 5, 2001, with Tukwila being added March 12, 2001. There are currently thirteen round trips on
1140-478: The most popular MPXpress variant, with 100 delivered to nine different customers. The MP40PH-3C introduced a new prime mover, the larger 16-cylinder EMD 710 G3B series diesel engine, capable of generating 4,000 hp. The MP40PH-3C also uses an EMD alternator and traction motors. The launch customer for the MP40PH-3C was GO Transit , a commuter railroad in the GTHA (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area). The MP40PH-3C
1178-501: The new product categories to be added was Rebuilt Vehicular Parts. The EPA defines rebuilt vehicular parts as "vehicle parts that have been re-manufactured , reusing parts in their original form. Rebuilt parts undergo an extensive re-manufacturing and testing process and must meet the same industry specifications for performance as new parts." In the UK, a market potential of up to 5.6 billion GBP has been identified in remanufacturing, with
MPI MPXpress - Misplaced Pages Continue
1216-494: The prime mover. The MP36PH-3S was the first variety of MPXpress locomotive to be built and the launch customer was Metra , a commuter railroad in the Chicago area. Metra ordered 27 of these locomotives in 2001, which were built and delivered between 2003 and 2004. Fourteen were to replace the railroad's aged F40C fleet, while the rest were for fleet expansion. Until May of 2020, when the 3S variants were converted to 3C's, Metra
1254-532: The static inverter and replacing it with a separate HEP generator. Metra's MP36PH-3C locomotives all have extended radiators to supply the extra cooling for the new Caterpillar generators. Locomotive No. 417 was the first one to be converted and was sent to MPI in Boise. The rest were rebuilt at Metra's 47th Street shops on the South Side of Chicago. As of 2020, all of the MP36PH-3S locomotives have been converted to
1292-444: The systemwide funding gap and subsequent realignment of projects. Platform extensions are scheduled to be complete by 2036, while additional trips on the S Line are scheduled to be implemented by 2046. Sounder operates using a proof-of-payment fare system and uses distance-based fares; adult fares range from $ 3.25 to $ 5.75. Passengers are required to purchase a paper ticket, use a mobile ticket, or tap their ORCA card (and receive
1330-533: Was able to solve these communication problems by publishing a common translation list in many different languages in order to unite all those who deal with the automotive industry. Rebuilding is an old name for remanufacturing. It is still widely used by automotive industry. For example, the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA), have the new term in their name, but to be safe on their own website use
1368-452: Was developed in response to a bid request from GO Transit for locomotives capable of generating 4,000 hp, hauling 12 passenger cars and traveling at speeds up to 93 mph (150 km/h). MotivePower and GE Transportation responded to the request, with MotivePower being selected as the winning bidder. GO Transit placed an order for 27 locomotives in 2006, which were built and delivered between 2007 and 2008. In 2011, MotivePower upgraded
1406-603: Was inaugurated, with five daily round trips, all of which are in the peak direction, serving the new stations. In September 2016, a mid-day round trip was added between Lakewood and Seattle. In September 2017, two additional round trips were added, bringing the total to eight daily round trips servicing the Lakewood extension. The average weekday ridership in 2010 on the S Line was 8,300, down 7% from 2009 due to continued low employment in Downtown Seattle. Since then
1444-417: Was the only operator of the MP36PH-3S variant of the MPXpress. When the locomotives were first delivered, the onboard computer systems proved problematic. At one point in 2004, because Metra had so many MPXpress locomotives out of service, two F40Cs had to be placed back into service for a short time. Starting in 2015, Metra began converting its MP36PH-3S locomotives to the MP36PH-3C specification by removing
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