MPI HSP46

The locomotives are powered by GE GEVO-12 diesel engines from GE Transportation, equipped with a static inverter for head end power, and capable of meeting the stringent new Tier 3 emissions regulations. AC traction systems, prime movers, head end power equipment, and computer systems are supplied by GE, while MPI supplies the brake systems, air systems, and cooling systems.{{cite web|title=Wabtec's MotivePower Unit Signs Contract With MBTA For New Passenger Locomotives|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wabtecs-motivepower-unit-signs-contract-with-mbta-for-new-passenger-locomotives-101871003.html|work=PR Newswire|accessdate=August 31, 2010}}

The locomotive was styled by industrial designer Cesar Vergara, who also designed the GE Genesis.{{Cite news |url=http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/intercity/cesar-vergara-recipient-of-railway-age-graham-claytor-award.html |title=Cesar Vergara recipient of Railway Age Graham Claytor Award |last=Vantuono |first=William C. |date=August 21, 2015 |work=Railway Age |access-date=May 1, 2017}}

File:MBTA 2001 at CRMF, October 2013.jpg

File:MBTA 2001 first revenue round trip at Reading.JPG

In the mid-2000s the MBTA issued a request for proposal for new diesel locomotives to replace its aging fleet, much of which dated to the late 1970s. Two firms responded: Vossloh España and MotivePower. MBTA selected Vossloh, but the Federal Transit Administration rejected the MBTA's request for a "Buy America Act" waiver because the MBTA "has not identified a significant technological difference between locomotives produced by Vossloh and MotivePower", and that it has "not established sufficient grounds for a public interest waiver".{{Cite web |url=https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/buy-america/massachusetts-bay-transportation-authority-november-14-2008 |title=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority - November 14, 2008 |last=Little |first=Sherry E. |date=November 14, 2008 |publisher=Federal Transit Administration}}{{Cite news |url=http://archive.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/11/15/mbta_request_federal_funds_is_rejected/ |title=MBTA request federal funds is rejected |last=Shea |first=Padraig B. |date=November 15, 2008 |newspaper=The Boston Globe}} MBTA turned to MotivePower, and ordered 20 new HSP46 locomotives on July 14, 2010, at a cost of $114.6 million.{{cite news |date=July 20, 2010 |title=Boston orders MotivePower HSP46 diesels |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/boston-orders-motivepower-hsp46-diesels/35148.article |work=Railway Gazette International}}

On July 27, 2011, the MBTA released images of a new paint scheme for the authority's HSP46 fleet.{{cite web|title=New loco look for MBTA|url=http://www.universalhub.com/2011/new-loco-look-mbta|work=Universal Hub |author=Gaffin, Adam |accessdate=April 16, 2014}} It was chosen by the general public in an online survey.

On July 11, 2012, the MBTA Board voted to approve the first option for seven locomotives, bringing the order total to 27 units.{{cite web|title=MBTA approves $150m of upgrades to commuter rail|url=http://articles.boston.com/2012-07-12/metro/32631324_1_locomotives-commuter-rail-mbta|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118080355/http://articles.boston.com/2012-07-12/metro/32631324_1_locomotives-commuter-rail-mbta|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 18, 2013|work=The Boston Globe|accessdate=July 14, 2012}} On April 10, 2013, the Board approved the purchase of the remaining 13 option locomotives, bringing the current order total to 40 units (2000–2039), at a total cost of $240 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/Document_Library/Board_Meetings/AGENDA%20April%202013.docx |title=Board Meeting Agenda |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=April 10, 2013 |accessdate=April 16, 2014}}

On October 24, 2013, the first pilot unit, No. 2001, was delivered to the MBTA Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility to begin testing and training. Two other pilot units were also released from MotivePower: No. 2000 to GE's Test Facility in Erie, Pennsylvania, and No. 2003 to the Transportation Technology Center test facility in Pueblo, Colorado. Only No. 2001 was given the MBTA paint scheme; the other two test units were unpainted.

On April 16, 2014, No. 2001 entered revenue service, with its first round trip taking place on the Haverhill Line.{{cite news |url=http://www.eagletribune.com/haverhill/x1445046499/New-train-headed-to-city-tomorrow |title=New train headed to city tomorrow |newspaper=Eagle-Tribune|author=LaBella, Mike |date=April 15, 2014 |accessdate=April 16, 2014}} {{As of|October 2015}}, 36 of the 40 locomotives are in service.{{cite web |url=http://www.transithistory.org/roster/ |title=The MBTA Vehicle Inventory Page |publisher=NETransit |date=19 December 2014 |accessdate=19 December 2014}} En route to the MBTA, the locomotives were sent to the Providence & Worcester Railroad, which is subcontracted to MPI to prepare the units for revenue service.

In August 2014, MPI discovered that some traction motor bearings had been shipped improperly to their factory, causing early failures. Locomotives already delivered to the MBTA were repaired on-site, while half of the locomotives were redirected to Altoona Works during delivery for replacement bearings to be installed. The issues were not disclosed to the press until January 2015.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/01/21/new-commuter-rail-locomotives-sidelined-due-faulty-bearings/3iLcseNHv0gEPSd1WnwNlM/story.html |title=Flaws sideline MBTA's new commuter rail locomotives: Commuter rail vehicles costing $222m need repairs on bearings |newspaper=Boston Globe|date=21 January 2015 |last=Robinson |first=Walter V. |accessdate=21 January 2015}} While the repairs were performed under warranty at no cost to the MBTA, they constituted an additional delay that prevented some of the units from entering service before the end of 2015. The multiple delays and early mechanical issues have raised concern from industry commentators about the MBTA's procurement process and the overall quality of the locomotives.

Despite multiple repairs and modifications, the HSP46s have continued to experience mechanical problems. Turbochargers failed in several locomotives beginning in Fall 2016, and will have to be replaced fleet-wide.{{Cite web |url=https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/keolis-plagued-by-train-coach-issues/ |title=Keolis plagued by train, coach issues |last=Mohl |first=Bruce |date=March 27, 2017 |website=CommonWealth Magazine |access-date=April 30, 2017}} Fleet availability fell to 27 of 40 in early April 2017.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/04/07/locomotives-plagued-gear-failure/4wywO2H1EfUpqwiER7kltL/story.html |title=Commuter rail locomotives plagued by gear failure |last=Dungca |first=Nicole |date=April 8, 2017 |work=Boston Globe|access-date=April 30, 2017}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category-inline|MPI HSP46 locomotives}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20180130013636/http://www.wabtec.com/uploads/outlinedrawings/HSP46-AC-Commuter-Locomotive.pdf HSP46 spec sheet]

{{MPI Locomotives}}

{{Green Locos}}

Category:MPI locomotives

Category:B-B locomotives

Category:Passenger locomotives

Category:Diesel–electric locomotives of the United States

Category:EPA Tier 3-compliant locomotives of the United States

Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 2013

Category:Standard-gauge locomotives of the United States