| EMD MP15DC |
 |
| Mosaic 212, an EMD MP15DC --Brewster, Florida. |
| Power type |
Diesel-electric |
| Builder |
Electro-Motive Division (EMD) |
| Build date |
1974–1980 |
| Total produced |
351 |
| AAR wheel arr. |
B-B |
| Gauge |
4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Trucks |
9 ft 0 in (2.74 m) |
| Wheel diameter |
40 in (1.0 m) |
| Length |
47 ft 8 in (14.53 m) |
| Width |
10 ft ¾ in (3.067 m) |
| Height |
15 ft 0 in (4.57 m) |
| Locomotive weight |
248,000 lb (112,000 kg) |
| Fuel capacity |
1,100–1,400 US gal (4,200–5,300 l; 920–1,200 imp gal) |
| Prime mover |
EMD 12-645E |
| Engine type |
V12 |
| Aspiration |
Roots type supercharger |
| Generator |
D32 |
| Traction motors |
4 × D77/78 DC |
| Power output |
1,500 hp (1,100 kW) |
The EMD MP15DC was a 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) switcher-type diesel locomotive model produced by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division between March 1974 and January 1983. 351 examples were built. It replaced the SW1500 in EMD's catalog, and is superficially very similar to the predecessor model, using effectively the same engine (a V12 EMD 645-series powerplant) in a similar design of hood and bodywork.
Like the Mexico-only SW1504, the MP15DC used Blomberg trucks exclusively, replacing the Flexicoil trucks or AAR switcher trucks used on the SW1500. In EMD's eyes (among others) this made the new locomotive a road switcher rather than a pure switcher, since it was capable of transition and road speeds up to 60 mph (100 km/h) or so; the designation thus meant Multi-Purpose locomotive, 1500 hp, DC generator. Originally the locomotive was simply designated the MP15; the arrival of the alternator/rectifier MP15AC in 1975 changed the name.
Original Buyers [edit]
Current owners [edit]
The Union Pacific Railroad is perhaps the largest current user of the MP15DC, having 102 of the type in service (Strack, 2004). None were originally owned by the UP; instead, they were acquired by merger or takeover, or bought on the second-hand locomotive market. The vast majority (62) came from the Missouri Pacific Railroad, while locomotives were also acquired from the Chicago and North Western Railway (14) and Southern Pacific Railroad (9). A further 15 were acquired from the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad, being surplus to their requirements, while a further two have been leased from Helm.
The Alaska Railroad had four MP15DCs used as yard switching engines, numbered 1551-1554. As of 2/28/2011 LEF&C (1551)#25 & (1552)#26, 1553, 1554 were sold to GATX, a RR leasing fleet. Two were obtained from the Lake Erie, Franklin and Clarion Railroad; the other two were obtained from the Kelley's Creek and Northwestern Railroad.
Caltrain has two MP15DCs used for yard switching and work train service, numbered 503 and 504.
Specifications [edit]
| Overall length: |
47 ft 8 in |
14.53 m |
| Between bolster centers: |
24 ft 2 in |
7.37 m |
| Truck wheelbase: |
9 ft 0 in |
2.74 m |
| Width over grabirons: |
10 ft 0.75 in |
3.07 m |
| Height above rails: |
15 ft 0 in |
4.57 m |
| Wheel diameter: |
40 in |
1.02 m |
| Fuel capacity: |
1,100-1,400 US gal |
4,200-5,300 L |
| Engine: |
12-645E, V12 Roots-blown diesel |
| Power: |
1,500 hp |
1,100 kW |
| Main generator: |
D32 generator |
| Traction motors: |
4 × D77/78 DC |
| Standard gearing: |
62:15 |
| Weight: |
248,000 lb |
112,000 kg |
- (GATX, 2005)
See also [edit]
List of GM-EMD locomotives
External links [edit]
References [edit]
|
|
|
| Railcars/Trainsets |
|
|
| Diesel locomotives |
|
|
| Dual-Mode locomotives |
|
|
| Electric locomotives |
|
|
| Work locomotives |
|
|
| Former locomotives |
|
Diesel
|
|
|
|
Dual-Mode
|
|
|
|
Electric
|
|
|
|
Gas Turbine
|
|
|
|
Work locomotives
|
|
|
|
