Wikipedia / EMD MP15DC
Wikipedia / EMD MP15DC
The EMD MP15, sometimes referenced as MP15DC, is a diesel–electric road switcher locomotive model produced by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division between 1974 and 1980. It was equipped with a V12 12-645E engine sporting a Roots blower. The length was either or depending on the build date.
The early MP15 and the SW1500 were similar in appearance and applications. They were fitted with the same engine in a similar appearance. The primary difference is the MP15's standard Blomberg B trucks.
Development
Switchers up to the SW1500 had been restricted to AAR type A switcher or Flexicoil lightweight trucks, both with a wheelbase. In 1973 60 special order Mexico-only SW1504ss were built on a slightly longer frame, allowing EMD's standard Blomberg B truckss, with a wheelbase, to be used. In EMD's eyes (among others) this made the new locomotive a road switcher rather than a pure switcher, since it was capable of road speeds up to or so. The new model MP15DC designation thus meant Multi-Purpose locomotive, 1500hp, DC generator. Originally the locomotive was simply designated the MP15; the arrival of the alternator/rectifier MP15AC in 1975 changed the name.
With the success of the MP15, there was a demand for a model with an advanced AC drive system. The MP15AC replaced the MP15DC's DC generator with an alternator producing AC power which is converted to DC for the traction motors with a silicon rectifier. The MP15AC is longer than an MP15DC, the extra space being needed for the rectifier equipment. The alternator-rectifier combination was more reliable than a generator, and this equipment became the standard for new diesel-electric locomotive designs.
The MP15AC was easily distinguished from the DC models. Instead of the front-mounted radiator intake and belt-driven fan used on all previous EMD switchers, these had intakes on the lower forward nose sides and electric fans. Side intakes allowed the unit to take in cooler air, and the electric fans improved a serious reliability issue found in its earlier DC sisters.
Engine
The MP15 used a 12-cylinder version of the 645E series engine developing 1,500hp at 904±4 rpm. Introduced in the SW1500, this was a 2-stroke, 45-degree V type, with a 9 1⁄16-inch bore by 10-inch stroke, giving 645 cubic inches displacement per cylinder. The 645 series, introduced in 1966, was EMD's standard engine through the 1980s.
Original buyers
Railroad | Quantity | Road numbers | Notes |
1 | 7 | ||
1 | 1522 | ||
5 | 146–148, 159, 166 | ||
2 | 18, 19 | ||
1 | 2 | ||
2 | 15, 16 | ||
3 | 151–153 | ||
4 | 533–536 | ||
2 | 260, 261 | ||
2 | 19, 20 | ||
15 | 1302–1316 | C&NW 1313 retired prior to UP merger. Remaining 14 units renumbered to UP 1315–1328 in 2000–2001. | |
1 | 109 | ||
4 | 121, 122, 131, 132 | ||
2 | 45, 46 | ||
2 | 1011, 1012 | ||
1 | 80 | ||
1 | 101 | ||
5 | 60–64 | ||
2 | 2, 10 | ||
4 | 4363–4366 | ||
2 | 1, 2 | ||
4 | 25–28 | ||
10 | 5030–5039 | ||
3 | 251, 252, 254 | ||
1 | 4 | ||
62 | 1530–1554, 1356–1392 | #1530 was the first MP15 built; renumbered by UP as 1330–1392 between 1986 and 1993. | |
4 | 42–45 | ||
25 | 1574–1598 | 15 units sold to Union Pacific in 1985 (1574-1583 and 1584, 1587, 1588, 1596 and 1598). Repainted and numbered 1300-1314 by UP in 1987. | |
5 | 11–15 | ||
2 | 9, 10 | ||
10 | 2771–2780 | Equipped with remanufactured and renewed ALCO RS-3 truck assemblies, including the General Electric 752 traction motors. To Conrail as #9621–9630 | |
3 | 13–15 | ||
12 | 2690–2701 | 2691 and 2692 retired in 1994 and sold to Progress Rail, then OmniTRAX, and then Helm Financial, which leased them to Union Pacific as 1289 and 1290; these retired from UP in 2002 and sold to Caltrain in 2003 as 503 and 504. 2690 rebuilt by Union Pacific in 2005 and renumbered to 2005 as a GS14B Truck Engine Switcher, which was the first Genset locomotive. 2697 retired prior to merger with UP; remaining eight (2693-2696;2698-2701) renumbered consecutively as UP 1292-1299 after merger. | |
88 | 2348–2435 | ||
5 | 361–365 | To Burlington Northern Railroad as #4000–4004, later renumbered to #1000–1004 | |
2 | 504, 505 | ||
1 | 1976 | ||
1 | 2 | ||
7 | 761, 771, 772, 801, 802, 821, 822 | ||
2 | 998, 999 | ||
3 | 35–37 | Split from the last Missouri Pacific order of MP15DCs. Painted and lettered for Missouri Pacific | |
24 | 10–33 | ||
15 | 170, 955–968 | ||
Total | 351 |
See also
Notes
References