BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has unveiled the first of 10 rebuilt F40PH locomotives for its commuter rail service.
The Boston Globe reports that the program, costing about $3 million per locomotive, will extend the life of each unit about 20 years. Positive train control equipment has been added as part of the refurbishment, along with other safety equipment. The F40PH-3C locomotives are being rebuilt by Motive Power Inc. in Boise, Idaho. All 10 are expected to be in service by September of this year.
“What that means for customers,” MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said, according to the Globe, “is there’s going to be greater reliability in terms of fewer breakdowns and more reliable trains. … This was one of the lowest performers and we expect it will be one of the highest performers now.”
Anna – My memory from a little over 20 years ago – Both on a small and a large railroad – In either case main line locos went 100,000 to 110,000 miles per year. (Freight Railroads)
Doesn’t a new locomotive cost about 3 million?
Are these MBTA F-40PHs being rebuilt from the original (1978) MBTA order?
Great!!, Now Geez Louise, Metra can do the same thing instead of buyin ugly power (F59, SD70MAC, MP36, F40PHM). I can only hope!!
Mr. Howard: Thank you for the tip. Great picture, great engine, great livery.
Doug – Here’s what I remember. Red Line got new cars, painted blue, around 1966, about 90 of them, replacing the pre-war fleet. With the Quincy extension (and later extensions to Braintree and Alewife) these blue cars were supplemented with a newer fleet, silver in color.
The blue fleet on the Red Line seems to have disappeared fairly early. I never knew if these were scrapped or if rebuilt and painted silver. If still around these would be about 52 years old. Plz. advise.
I remember new cars on the Orange Line maybe in the early 1960’s. I don’t think I’ve ridden the Orange Line since, so I can’t say any more.
The Blue Line cars seem fairly new. Green Line trolleys, no matter how new or old, just seem worn out from overuse and crush loading.
And they circumvent the need to purchase the expensive and not-so-great Tier IV technology.
The winter of 2015 triggered most of this. The MA legislature passed a bill basically giving carte Blanche to the MBTA board to get stuff done. The three year window has since expired but now the results are being seen. Rebuilt F40-PHs. Soon to come are new Red and Orange Line subway cars, replacing some that are 50 years old. I see new rail being laid in my daily travels, and new block and signaling systems are being installed. Nothing like waiting for a major meltdown to take action.
pretty fancy new livery for the mbta commuter rail
Sounds like it’s time for Richard Anderson to take a hike
The T seems to use equipment it likes for quite a while. This includes the Ashmont- Mattapan PCCs, and now the “screamahs”!
And for those of you looking for a photo…
http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=249126
Does anyone know the price (in 2019 dollars) of an equivalent new unit, and approximately how many miles it could be expected to run (1) per year and (2) total lifetime before full amortization?
The above comments are general in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I am not your attorney. Find your own damn lawyer.