ndbprr wrote:I live in new Lenox, Illinois and don't follow modern railroading much but the new Metra engines are sharp looking with the sloping nose. What designation are they and is the nose steel or fiberglasss? Thank you.
Well the new Metra Engines are MP36PH-3C at 3,600 HP with seperate HEP generators. Based on the weight I would imagine they are Steel. My Father rides them daily I will have him go knock on one and tell me if in fact they are steel. I have seen a few of them crash and they look like steel. 411 and 409 were returned to Boise, ID for major repairs after a derailment on the Rock Island in 2003. I believe that both have been returned to service.
EMDF40CFAN wrote: ndbprr wrote:I live in new Lenox, Illinois and don't follow modern railroading much but the new Metra engines are sharp looking with the sloping nose. What designation are they and is the nose steel or fiberglasss? Thank you.Well the new Metra Engines are MP36PH-3C at 3,600 HP with seperate HEP generators. Based on the weight I would imagine they are Steel. My Father rides them daily I will have him go knock on one and tell me if in fact they are steel. I have seen a few of them crash and they look like steel. 411 and 409 were returned to Boise, ID for major repairs after a derailment on the Rock Island in 2003. I believe that both have been returned to service.
The MP36PH-3S is made of steel. My father talked with one of the engineers and it is in fact steel.
Nataraj wrote:Metra did not order the -3C model. Those were bought only by caltrain. Metra bought the -3S model, and go transit got the new MP40PH.
There is a 10 page article on these locomotives in the March Railfan. It lists Metra with 27 of the -3S (Static inverter). The -3C (Caterpillar HEP) have gone to Caltrain with 6, Rail Runner with 5, GO Transit 27, Utah 11, Northstar 5, Metrolink 11 and Vancouver with 1.
nanaimo73 wrote: Nataraj wrote:Metra did not order the -3C model. Those were bought only by caltrain. Metra bought the -3S model, and go transit got the new MP40PH.There is a 10 page article on these locomotives in the March Railfan. It lists Metra with 27 of the -3S (Static inverter). The -3C (Caterpillar HEP) have gone to Caltrain with 6, Rail Runner with 5, GO Transit 27, Utah 11, Northstar 5, Metrolink 11 and Vancouver with 1.
Was there any particular reason why Metra took the subclass -3S while dozens of type -3C's went to half a dozen other transit systems?
al-in-chgo wrote: Was there any particular reason why Metra took the subclass -3S while dozens of type -3C's went to half a dozen other transit systems?
Metra decided they wanted the heat, light and air conditioning power to come from the main engine, rather than a second smaller diesel in the locomotive. The article in Railfan does not mention what the price difference would be, or even which would be the lower cost alternative.
nanaimo73 wrote: al-in-chgo wrote: Was there any particular reason why Metra took the subclass -3S while dozens of type -3C's went to half a dozen other transit systems? Metra decided they wanted the heat, light and air conditioning power to come from the main engine, rather than a second smaller diesel in the locomotive. The article in Railfan does not mention what the price difference would be, or even which would be the lower cost alternative.
It may also have to do with the California Emission Standards. They have started requiring even on semi-trucks to have a smaller diesel generators instead of leaving big diesel engines running at high idle speeds to produce power for heating and air conditioning while sitting static.
EMDF40CFAN wrote: nanaimo73 wrote: al-in-chgo wrote: Was there any particular reason why Metra took the subclass -3S while dozens of type -3C's went to half a dozen other transit systems? Metra decided they wanted the heat, light and air conditioning power to come from the main engine, rather than a second smaller diesel in the locomotive. The article in Railfan does not mention what the price difference would be, or even which would be the lower cost alternative.It may also have to do with the California Emission Standards. They have started requiring even on semi-trucks to have a smaller diesel generators instead of leaving big diesel engines running at high idle speeds to produce power for heating and air conditioning while sitting static.
Re: Metra's MP36PH-3S engines and other agencies' MP36-PH-3C engines.
THANK YOU ALL! THIS IS GREAT!!
Before this thread cools off, I do have a question or two:
Is "PH" a standard diesel-electric abbreviation or designation that includes other brands like EMD; and regardless, does it mean anything in particular?
And "HEP," is that high energy or high efficiency something ____? Surely not "HEPA" as in Dyson vac. HEPA filter. lol. - a.s.
Hi Al
HEP Head End Power for hvac and lighting. We were in the process of "kitbashing" a hep car for KRM but found one already finished.
Dale
Hi Al,
The locomotive is a MP (MotivePower) 36 (3600 hp) P (passenger) H (HEP equiped) 3 (microprocessor controls) S (static converter).
HEP stands for Head End Power, basically electricity from the locomotives supplied to passenger cars for heat, light, AC, ect.
'MotivePower Industries', which is actually Wabtec Corporation these days - see http://www.wabtec.com/corp/history.asp
Tony
Amtrak77 wrote:I wish someone would hurry up and make the model of the Metra Locomotives in HO Scale so I can run them on my layout
Try putting your post in MODEL RAILROADING. And if the scale model makers haven't gotten around to Metra, they might have the engine in other RT districts' livery. I hesitate to say, though, that Metra's new diesel-electrics look just like the others under the paint -- maybe some of the MR people could help you there too. al s.
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