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MPI

MP36PH-3C

Discontinueddiesel-electric passenger locomotiveIntroduced Produced 2003–2024MPI MP36PH-3C family
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MPIMP36PH-3C
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  • Plate 01Super Duper Ultra Fast Metra MPI MP36PH-3C State of Illinois! #roblox #generationtrains #metra

    LuisWatch on YouTube

  • Plate 02Metrolink MP36PH-3C Orange County Line With a Horn Crossing Sequence And a Two Tap

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  • Plate 03Train 23 (MPI MP36PH-3C)

    Pacific 1999Watch on YouTube

  • Plate 04Caltrain MP36PH-3C Departure #shorts #train #caltrain

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  • Plate 05CALTRAIN with Metrolink coach and MPI MP36PH-3C locomotive at Milbrae CA

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  • Plate 06Super Duper Ultra Fast Metra MPI MP36PH-3C The Milwaukee Road! #roblox #generationtrains #metra

    LuisWatch on YouTube

  • Plate 07MARC Train P520 arrives at New Carrollton with an MPI MP36PH-3C leading 8/19/25

    LIRRNorfolkSouthern Rail Productions 2009Watch on YouTube

  • Plate 08MP36PH-3C at Assembly Square station

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  • Plate 09MBTA Rotem Cab car #1801 with AWESOME K3H and MP36PH 3C #011!!!!

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  • Plate 10Metra MP36PH-3C leaves Wood Dale, IL

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Produced

2003–2024

Power

3,600 hp (2,700 kW)[1]

What it is

The MPI MP36PH-3C is a diesel-electric passenger locomotive from the MPXpress line built by MotivePower for commuter rail service.[1]

The MP36PH-3C model uses a 16-cylinder EMD 645F3B diesel engine as its prime mover, capable of generating 3600 horsepower.[1]

How it works

The MP36PH-3C has a separate head-end power generator, a Caterpillar C-27 engine that supplies electricity for passenger car heating, cooling, and lighting.[1]

Applications

The MP36PH-3C is used by commuter rail agencies in the United States for regional passenger service.[1]

The launch customer for the MP36PH-3C was Caltrain in the San Francisco Bay Area, which ordered six locomotives in 2003.[1]

Nine railroads operate this model, making it the most popular MPXpress variant.[1]

  • commuter rail service

Why won't it start?

Documented failure modes, common issues, and field considerations.

  • When first delivered, the onboard computer systems proved problematic.

What do the numbers mean?

Power & electrical5

Head-end power generator
Separate head-end power generator; Caterpillar C-27 (3412 before 2005)[1]
Accurate?
Power output (MP36PH-3S, MP36PH-3C)
3,600 hp (2,700 kW)[1]
Accurate?
Power output (MP40PH-3C)
4,000 hp (3,000 kW)[1]
Accurate?
Power output (MP54AC)
5,400 hp (4,000 kW)[1]
Accurate?
Power output (MP32PH-Q)
3,200 hp (2,400 kW)[1]
Accurate?

Dimensions & facilities3

Width
10 ft 7.5 in (3,238 mm)[1]
Accurate?
Height
15 ft 6 in (4,720 mm)[1]
Accurate?
Loco weight
285,000 to 295,000 lb (129,000 to 134,000 kg)[1]
Accurate?

Configuration & options22

Power type
Diesel-electric[1]
Accurate?
Builder
MotivePower[1]
Accurate?
Line
MPI MPXpress[1]
Accurate?
Prime mover
EMD 16-645F3B[1]
Accurate?
Power output
3,600 hp[1]
Accurate?
Maximum speed
82–102 mph (132–164 km/h)[1]
Accurate?
AAR B-B; UIC Bo'Bo'[1]
Accurate?
Gauge
4 ft 8 + 1/2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge[1]
Accurate?
Length
68 ft (20.73 m)[1]
Accurate?
Build date
2003 –2024[1]
Accurate?
Total produced
227[1]
Accurate?
Configuration: AAR
B-B[1]
Accurate?
Configuration: UIC
Bo'Bo'[1]
Accurate?
Wheel diameter
3 ft 4 in (1,020 mm)[1]
Accurate?
Minimum curve
248 ft (76,000 mm)[1]
Accurate?
Maximum speed (MP36PH-3C, MP32PH-Q)
82–102 mph (132–164 km/h)[1]
Accurate?
Maximum speed (MP40PH-3C)
93 mph (150 km/h)[1]
Accurate?
Maximum speed (MP54AC)
110 mph (180 km/h)[1]
Accurate?
Tractive effort (MP36PH-3C, MP36PH-3S)
72,500–85,000 lbf (322–378 kN)[1]
Accurate?
Tractive effort (MP40PH-3C)
85,000 lbf (380 kN)[1]
Accurate?
Tractive effort (MP32PH-Q)
70,000 lbf (310 kN)[1]
Accurate?
Tractive effort (MP54AC)
82,900 lbf (369 kN)[1]
Accurate?

Vintage & configurations

  1. 2003Production start[1]

    Built and delivered beginning in 2003.

  2. 2024Production end[1]

    Build date range extends to 2024.

Documented models & variants

DesignationGenerationVintageChangesSource
MP36PH-3S—2003–2004Converted to MP36PH-3C specification by removing the static inverter and replacing it with a separate HEP generator.en.wikipedia.org[1]
MP36PH-3C—2003Uses a separate head-end power generator; the source says the generator was a Caterpillar C-27 (3412 before 2005).en.wikipedia.org[1]
MP40PH-3C—2007–2011Introduced a larger 16-cylinder EMD 710G3B series diesel engine generating 4,000 hp; uses an EMD alternator and traction motors.en.wikipedia.org[1]
MP32PH-Q—2013–2017Rebuilt and refurbished from former MARC GP40WH-2 locomotives; rebuilt EMD 16-645E3C prime mover rated at 3,200 hp; retains hood unit layout with new four-window MPXpress cab.en.wikipedia.org[1]
MP54AC—2015Genset locomotive using a pair of Cummins QSK60 60-liter, 16-cylinder engines rated at 2,700 hp each (5,400 hp total); most powerful diesel-electric passenger locomotive in North America; can be built new or rebuilt from existing MPXpress locomotives.en.wikipedia.org[1]
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What replaced it?

  • siblingMPI MP36PH-3S— The MP36PH-3S and MP36PH-3C share the same EMD 645F3B prime mover, but the MP36PH-3C uses a separate head-end power generator.source[1]

What does it need to run?

Site utility requirements, footprint, and infrastructure needed to install and operate this tool. Sourced from public records.

  • Head-end power generatorSeparate head-end power generator; Caterpillar C-27 (3412 before 2005)[1]
  • Power output (MP36PH-3S, MP36PH-3C)3,600 hp (2,700 kW)[1]
  • Power output (MP40PH-3C)4,000 hp (3,000 kW)[1]
  • Power output (MP54AC)5,400 hp (4,000 kW)[1]
  • Power output (MP32PH-Q)3,200 hp (2,400 kW)[1]

Where are the manuals?

Generated from public-source data on file. Enter your email to access — nothing is published; details are routed privately.

Not publicly documented

Field notes

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Frequently asked questions

What type of locomotive is the MPI MP36PH-3C?

It is a diesel-electric passenger locomotive in the MPI MPXpress line.[1][2]

What prime mover does the MP36PH-3C use?

It uses an EMD 645F3B prime mover.[1][2]

What is the MP36PH-3C used for?

It is used for commuter rail service.[1][2]

Which railroad was the launch customer for the MP36PH-3C?

Caltrain was the launch customer.[1][2]

Not publicly documented

The following facts about the MP36PH-3C are absent from this record as of this revision. First-hand knowledge or a citation closes a gap; every submission is reviewed before publication.

  • The control-system platform and OS era of the MP36PH-3C are not on record.

    Answerable by: an engineer who operated it or OEM installation records

  • The process node or technology generation of the MP36PH-3C is not on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM datasheet or a fab qualification report

  • No publicly documented compatible parts, consumables, or accessories for the MP36PH-3C are on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM parts catalog or a service engineer

  • No publicly hosted manuals, SOPs, or datasheets for the MP36PH-3C are on record.

    Answerable by: university cleanroom staff or an OEM application specialist

Sources & citations

Sources (2)Every fact above is drawn from these public sources
  1. [1]en.wikipedia.org — en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org
  2. [2]MPI MPXpress - Wikipedia — en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org
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Last updated Sep 22, 2026.

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