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MPI

MP36PH-3C

Discontinueddiesel-electric passenger locomotiveIntroduced Produced 2003–MPI 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

    MrtoastWatch on YouTube

  • Plate 03Train 23 (MPI MP36PH-3C)

    Pacific 1999Watch on YouTube

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

    SwaggyPanda617Watch on YouTube

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

    Worldwide Trains & AirplanesWatch on YouTube

What is it?

The MP36PH-3C is one of the MPXpress models described as a diesel-electric passenger locomotive. The source states that it uses the same EMD 645F3B prime mover as the MP36PH-3S model, with a separate head-end power generator, and that Caltrain was the launch customer. The model has been delivered to nine railroads, and the source notes that production of the MPXpress line ran from 2003 to 2024.

What can it run?

Process applications and technology nodes documented for this tool.

  • 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 & electrical1

Head-end power generator
Separate head-end power generator; Caterpillar C-27 (3412 before 2005)[1]
Accurate?

Dimensions & facilities2

Width
10 ft 7.5 in (3,238 mm)[1]
Accurate?
Height
15 ft 6 in (4,720 mm)[1]
Accurate?

Configuration & options9

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?

Vintage & configurations

  1. 2003Production start[1]

    Built and delivered beginning in 2003.

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]
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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]

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

No research found yet — worked with this tool? Share what you know.

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

  • The operating principle of the MP36PH-3C is not documented in this record.

    Answerable by: an equipment physicist or OEM application engineer

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 Jul 29, 2026.

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