One of the reasons that straight electrics cost more is that they are rarely off-the-shelf designs and involve short production runs. The MPx series from MPI is a fairly standardized design so that helps keep design costs down. The HSP46 may cost a bit more since it involve some redesign work to fit the GE engine that will be inside.
That's really helpful, thanks. Why do you think the MBTA purchase price was $1.5M higher than the Tri-Rail purchase? Also, do fully electric locomotives generally cost more or less than diesel or diesel/electric locomotives? I know the Amtrak locomotives were not off the shelf technology because they had to be modified to meet FRA standards, that's the reason for the higher price.
Amtrak recently ordered 70 Siemens ACS-64 electric locomtives at a cost of $6.66 million per locomotive. This locomotive will be built in Sacramento, California, but Siemens is a foreign company.
Yes, all locomotives built in the U.S. adhere to FRA safety standards.
The price difference between an AC and DC diesel/electric locomotive is about $1million.
MBTA recently purchased twenty, four-axle, HSP46 AC diesel/electric locomotives for $5.75 million each and Florida Tri Rail just ordered ten Brookville Equipment DC diesel,electric locomoties for $4.2 million each.
Can anyone provide me with a range of cost to purchase a new locomotive for passenger rail use?
I know there are a lot of things to take into consideration.
Are any electric locomotives built in the U.S. with FRA safety standards that are off the shelf? If so, what is the cost range per locomotive? What is the cost range for electric locomotives purchased from foreign companies?
Are diesel locomotives that are built in the U.S. adhere to FRA safety standards? Is this off the shelf technology?
What is the price difference for ac vs. dc power in a diesel/electric engine?
Basically I want to find out how much an all electric and how much a diesel/electric locomotive would cost to purchase for a commuter railroad?
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