EMD MP15DC

The EMD MP15, sometimes referenced as MP15DC, is a 1,500 hp (1,119 kW) diesel–electric switcher locomotive model produced by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division between 1974–1980. It was equipped with a V12 12-645E engine sporting a Roots blower. The length was either 47 ft 8 in (14.53 m) or 48 ft 8 in (14.83 m) depending on the build date.[1]

EMD MP15DC
Mosaic 212, an EMD MP15DC Fort Meade, Florida
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderElectro-Motive Division (EMD)
Build date1974–1980[1]
Total produced351
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARB-B
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
TrucksBlomberg B
Wheel diameter40 in (1,016 mm)
Minimum curve55° (107 ft (32.614 m)[2]: 0–2 
Wheelbase24 ft 2 in (7.366 m) between bolsters; 9 ft 0 in (2.743 m) between axles in each truck
Length47 ft 8 in (14.53 m) or
48 ft 8 in (14.83 m)
depending on build date[1]
Width10 ft 0+3⁄4 in (3.067 m)
Height15 ft 0 in (4.57 m)
Loco weight248,000 lb (112,493 kg)[2]: 0–1 
Fuel capacity1,100 or 1,400 US gal
(4,200 or 5,300 L; 920 or 1,170 imp gal)
Lubricant cap.197 or 284 US gal (746 or 1,075 L; 164 or 236 imp gal)
Coolant cap.230 US gal (871 L; 192 imp gal)
Sandbox cap.0.849 or 1.133 m3 (30.0 or 40.0 cu ft)
Prime moverEMD 12-645E
Engine RPM:
 • RPM low idle		235 RPM
 • RPM idle318±4 RPM (normal)
517±15 RPM (switching 2 mode)
 • Maximum RPM904±4 RPM
Engine typeV12 diesel
AspirationMechanical
Displacement
  • 645 cu in (10.57 L) / cyl
  • 7,740 cu in (126.8 L)
GeneratorD32
Traction motors4 × D77/78 DC
Cylinders12
Cylinder size9+1⁄16 in × 10 in (230 mm × 254 mm)
Gear ratio62:15
Performance figures
Maximum speed65 mph (104.6 km/h)[2]: 0–2 
Power output1,500 hp (1,119 kW)
Tractive effort62,000 lbf (275.79 kN)

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.[1]

Development

Switchers up to the SW1500 had been restricted to AAR type A switcher or Flexicoil lightweight trucks, both with a 96 in (2,438 mm) wheelbase. In 1973 60 special order Mexico-only SW1504s were built on a slightly longer frame, allowing EMD's standard Blomberg B trucks, with a 108 in (2,743 mm) 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 60 mph (97 km/h) or so. The new model MP15DC 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.

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 1.5 ft (457 mm) longer than an MP15DC, the extra space being needed for the rectifier equipment. The alternator-rectifier combination is more reliable than a generator, and this equipment became the standard for new diesel-electric locomotive designs.

The MP15AC is easily distinguished from the DC models. Instead of the front-mounted radiator intake and belt-driven fan used on all previous EMD switchers, these have 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.[3][4][5]

Engine

The MP15 used a 12-cylinder version of the 645E series engine developing 1,500 hp 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.[2]: 0–1, 7B-SSS-1  The 645 series, introduced in 1966, was EMD's standard engine through the 1980s.[3]: 26 [4]

Original buyers
RailroadQuantityRoad numbersNotes
Alcoa17
Alton and Southern Railway11522
Altos Hornos de México5146–148, 159, 166
American Cyanamid218, 19
Arizona Public Service12
Bauxite and Northern Railway215, 16
BC Hydro3151–153
Belt Railway of Chicago4533–536
Birmingham Southern Railroad2260, 261
Cambria and Indiana Railroad219, 20
Chicago and Northwestern151302–1316
Cities Service1109
Conn. Davison Chemical Division4121, 122, 131, 132
Genesee and Wyoming Railroad245, 46
Georgetown Railroad21011, 1012
Graysonia, Nashville & Ashdown Railroad180
Gulf Oil1101
Houston Belt & Terminal Railroad560–64
Industrial Minera México2383, ?
Kansas City Southern Railway44363–4366
Kelly's Creek and Northwestern Railroad21, 2
Lake Erie, Franklin and Clarion Railroad425–28
Louisville and Nashville Railroad105030–5039
Manufacturers Railway3251, 252, 254
Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago14
Missouri Pacific Railroad621530–1554, 1356–1392#1530 was the first MP15 built
North Louisiana and Gulf Railroad442–45
Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad251574–1598
Point Comfort and Northern Railway511–15
Quebec Iron and Titanium29, 10
Reading Company102771–2780Equipped with remanufactured and renewed ALCO RS-3 truck assemblies, including the General Electric 752 traction motors.[6] To Conrail as #9621–9630
Rockdale, Sandow and Southern Railroad313–15
Southern Pacific Railroad122690–2701
Southern Railway882348–2435
St. Louis–San Francisco Railway5361–365To Burlington Northern Railroad as #4000–4004, later renumbered to #1000–1004
St. Mary's Railroad2504, 505
Swift Chemical Company11976
Tennessee Eastman12
Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks7761, 771, 772, 801, 802, 821, 822
Texas and Northern Railway2998, 999
Texas City Terminal Railway335–37Split from the last Missouri Pacific order of MP15DCs. Painted and lettered for Missouri Pacific
Union Railroad2410–33
U.S. Steel15170, 955–968
Total351

See also

Notes
  1. Solomon, Brian (June 15, 2016). Field Guide to Trains: Locomotives and Rolling Stock. Voyageur Press. p. 44. ISBN 978-0-7603-4997-7 – via Google Books.
  2. EMD MP15DC Locomotive Service Manual (2nd ed.). Electro-Motive Division. November 1980. 32S980.
  3. Pinkpank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide. Kalmbach Books. pp. 10, 12–13, 48–50. LCCN 66-22894.
  4. Pinkepank, Jerry A.; Marre, Louis A. (1979). Diesel Spotters Guide Update. Kalmbach Books. pp. 4–9. ISBN 0-89024-029-9.
  5. Johnston, Howard; Harris, Ken (2005). Jane's Train Recognition Guide. HarperCollins Publishing. pp. 414, 425. ISBN 978-0-06-081895-1.
  6. EMD MP15 Specifications for Order A-74741. Electro-Motive Division. September 1973. 8097-5.

References
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