An R156 locomotive on the BMT Jamaica Line at Broadway Junction station.
(Tdorante10, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)
MPI MP8AC-3 DIESEL-ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
The MPI MP8AC-3 is a light-weight diesel locomotive built by the MotivePower division of Wabtec. It was designed from scratch as a work train engine for the New York City Subway system, where it is designated the R156.
Description
The R156 is designed to navigate the clearances and tight turns of the NYC subway, with weight constrained to 112,000 pounds (51,000 kg), so it can operate on elevated portions of the system. It joins a fleet of 62 diesel-electric work locomotives on the system. Third rail power is not used because the third rail is normally turned off at work sites for safety reasons. Instead, the R156 is powered by a 6-cylinder, 800 horsepower Cummins QSK 23 diesel engine. A separate, smaller John Deere Diesel drives a generator to provide auxiliary power and to heat the main engine and keep batteries charged when the main engine is not running. Trucks are supplied by Kawasaki, which provides the same wheel and traction sets for the R160 subway cars. The traction motors are Siemens' SITRAC AC motors (the same ones on R160Bs 8843–9102). The R156 locomotives have provisions for the future installation of communications-based train control (CBTC) equipment, which were expected to be installed by June 2017.
The MTA ordered 28 units in 2006. After some difficulty with the initial prototype, the first unit, numbered OL912, was delivered on May 1, 2012.
Overview
Type and origin
Power type: Diesel-Electric
Builder: MotivePower
Order number: OL912–OL939
Build date: 2012–2013
Total produced: 28
Specifications
Configuration:
• AAR B-B
• UIC Bo'Bo'
• Commonwealth Bo-Bo
Gauge: 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Trucks: Kawasaki R156 Fabricated Frame
Wheelbase: 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m)
Length: 53 ft 3.25 in (16.2370 m)
Width: 8 ft 8.25 in (2.6480 m)
Height: 11 ft 5.375 in (3.48933 m)
Axle load: 29,000 lb (13.2 t)
Adhesive weight: 100%
Locomotive weight: 116,000 lb (52.6 t)
Fuel type: Diesel fuel
Fuel capacity: 500 US gal (1,900 L; 420 imp gal)
Prime mover: Cummins QSK 23G
RPM range: 600-2100
Engine type: Inline-6 Cylinder, four stroke cycle diesel engine
Generator: Hitzinger SGS7
Traction motors: Siemens SITRAC AC propulsion, 165 kW (221 hp) per axle
Cylinders: 6
Cylinder size: 3.8583 L (235.4479 cu in)
Transmission: AC-DC-AC
Train heating: John Deere 5030HF285, 3.0L, 96 hp (72 kW)
Locomotive brake: Electro-pneumatic
Train brakes: Pneumatic
Performance figures
Maximum speed: 48.27 km/h (30 mph)
Power output Gross: 860 hp (641 kW); Traction: 300 hp (224 kW) @ 24 km/h (15 mph)
Tractive effort: 20,250 lbf (90.1 kN) Starting; 15,000 lbf (67 kN) @ 12 km/h (7 mph); 7,500 lbf (33 kN) @ 24 km/h (15 mph); 4,200 lbf (19 kN) @ 40 km/h (25 mph)
Career
Operators: New York City Subway
Class: R156
Number in class: 28
Delivered: 2012–2013
First run: May 1, 2012