New MBTA locomotives: Is the order on track?

Rendering of MPI HSP-46 Courtesy: MBTA

Back in July of 2010 the MBTA board of directors approved the purchase of 20 new locomotives to improve the systems aging fleet. The $115 million order was placed with Motive Power Inc. (MPI) which is based in Idaho. Under the contract, MPI was tasked with designing a unique locomotive specifically for the T (HSP-46 locomotive). They would also meet the EPA's tier-3 emissions guidelines.


Over the past three years the T's order with MPI has been changed quite a bit. In July 2011 a new paint scheme was voted on by the public, The MBTA board of directors then added 7 more locomotives to be to the order in July 2012, and most recently this past April, thirteen more units were added to the order. This changes bring the total order up to 40 brand new locomotives.

Back in 2010, when the contract was granted to MPI , they were given two and a half years to produce a prototype unit and have sent here to Boston for testing. That date was later pushed back to June of this year.

Well it's June, and there has yet to be any info released by the MBTA about a prototype coming to Boston or any updates on the order in general.

The T has not released any official statements saying the order is delayed, but this is a brand new unit and delays do happen. Look what happened with the Rotem bi-level order.

F-40 #1004 built in 1978

These new locomotives are vital to the MBTA if they want to maintain reliable transportation for Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Currently the MBTA's oldest in-service locomotives date back to 1978. They are loud, unreliable, and highly inefficient. When the 40 new HSP-46 locomotives replace the oldest units in the MBTA's fleet they will be reducing their diesel fuel consumption by over 1,700,000 gallons per year (according to GE).

I guess we shall see what the month of June brings. Hopefully we find out that the order is on track and we will see a prototype on the rails very soon.