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MPI

MP36PH-3S

Legacydiesel-electric passenger locomotiveIntroduced Produced 2003–2020MPI MP36PH-3S family
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The MPI MP36PH-3S is a diesel-electric passenger locomotive built by MotivePower for commuter rail service. The MP36PH-3S uses a 16-cylinder EMD 645 F3B diesel engine generating 3,600 hp. The MP36PH-3S generates head-end power via a static inverter connected to the prime mover.[1]

MPIMP36PH-3S
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  • Plate 01Railfanning 297 - MPI MP36PH-3S Metra 412 Leading, 07/10/26

    TheDemolitionMunicipleWatch on YouTube

  • Plate 02Metra MPI MP36PH-3S Locomotive into Chicago Union Station, 1/27/2025

    Russell Sharp Train VideosWatch on YouTube

  • Plate 03MPI MP36PH-3S & Metra train 2242 at Bensenville, Illinois on June 2, 2025

    Russell Sharp Train VideosWatch on YouTube

  • Plate 04Inbound Metra MP36PH 3S # 411 through Galewood

    Chicago Airport SpotterWatch on YouTube

  • Plate 05Metra MP36PH-3S

    Advanced Approach Videos LLCWatch on YouTube

  • Plate 06Railfanning 223 - MPI MP36PH-3S Metra 416 Leading, 02/21/26

    TheDemolitionMunicipleWatch on YouTube

Produced

2003–2020

Power

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

What it is

The MPI MP36PH-3S is a diesel-electric passenger locomotive in the MPI MPXpress family. The MPI MP36PH-3S was built by MotivePower for commuter rail service. The MPI MP36PH-3S was the first MPXpress variant to be built. Metra was the only railroad that ordered the MPI MP36PH-3S. The MPI MP36PH-3S used an EMD 16-645F3B prime mover rated at 3,600 hp.[1][2]

How it works

The MPI MP36PH-3S generated head-end power through a static inverter connected to the prime mover. The static-inverter arrangement gave the model its "S" designation. The MPI MP36PH-3S used power from the prime mover both for traction and for passenger-car electrical supply. When the locomotive provided the maximum 500 kW head-end-power load, maximum traction power fell to 2,930 hp. The static-inverter arrangement was simpler than a separate generator arrangement, but it required the prime mover to maintain higher rpm, and the arrangement led to higher noise levels and higher fuel consumption.[1][2]

Applications

The MPI MP36PH-3S was ordered for commuter rail service. Metra ordered 27 locomotives in 2001, and the locomotives were built and delivered between 2003 and 2004. Fourteen locomotives were intended to replace Metra's F40C fleet, and the remainder were intended for fleet expansion. Starting in 2015, Metra began converting the MPI MP36PH-3S fleet to MP36PH-3C specification by removing the static inverter and adding a separate head-end-power generator. As of 2020, all MPI MP36PH-3S locomotives had been converted to MP36PH-3C specification.[1][2]

  • commuter rail service

Why won't it start?

Documented failure modes, common issues, and field considerations.

  • The onboard computer systems were problematic when the locomotives were first delivered.
  • When providing the maximum 500 kW HEP load, maximum traction power is reduced to 2,930 hp because HEP generation diverts some power from the prime mover.
  • The setup was described as simpler but leading to higher noise levels and higher fuel consumption.

What do the numbers mean?

Power & electrical3

Power output
3,600 hp (2,700 kW)[1]
Accurate?
Head-end power (HEP)
500 kW maximum, reducing traction power to 2,930 hp[1]
Accurate?
Head-end power
Static inverter, maximum 500 kW[1]
Accurate?

Dimensions & facilities4

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?
Weight
285,000 to 295,000 lb (129,000 to 134,000 kg)[1]
Accurate?

Configuration & options26

AAR B-B; UIC Bo'Bo'[1]
Accurate?
Gauge
4 ft 8 + 1/2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge[1]
Accurate?
Wheel diameter
3 ft 4 in (1,020 mm)[1]
Accurate?
Wheelbase
9 ft 0 in (2,740 mm) original; 9 ft 4 in (2,840 mm) new[1]
Accurate?
Length
68 ft (20.73 m)[1]
Accurate?
Prime mover
EMD 16-645F3B[1]
Accurate?
Maximum speed
82–102 mph (132–164 km/h)[1]
Accurate?
Tractive effort
72,500–85,000 lbf (322–378 kN)[1]
Accurate?
Builder
MotivePower[1]
Accurate?
Power type
Diesel-electric[1]
Accurate?
Build date
2003-2004[1]
Accurate?
Total produced
27[1]
Accurate?
B-B, Bo'Bo'[1]
Accurate?
Minimum curve
248 ft (76,000 mm)[1]
Accurate?
Maximum speed
93 mph (150 km/h) (MP36PH-3C, MP32PH-Q)[1]
Accurate?
Tractive effort
72,500–85,000 lbf (322–378 kN) (MP36PH-3C, MP36PH-3S)[1]
Accurate?
HEP generation
Static inverter connected to prime mover[1]
Accurate?
Wheel arrangement
B-B (UIC Bo'Bo')[1]
Accurate?
OEM
MPI / MotivePower[1]
Accurate?
Model
MP36PH-3S[2]
Accurate?
Service
Commuter rail service[1]
Accurate?
Prime mover
16-cylinder EMD 645 F3B diesel engine[2]
Accurate?
Power output
3,600 hp[1]
Accurate?
Head-end power
Generated by a static inverter powered through connections to the prime mover[2]
Accurate?
Built
2003–2004[2]
Accurate?
Tractive effort
72,500–85,000 lbf[1]
Accurate?

Vintage & configurations

  1. 2003Production start[1]

    Built and delivered between 2003 and 2004.

  2. 2004Production end[1]

    Metra's MP36PH-3S locomotives were built and delivered between 2003 and 2004.

  3. 2015Conversion to MP36PH-3C specification began[1]

    Metra began converting its MP36PH-3S locomotives to MP36PH-3C specification starting in 2015.

  4. 2015Conversion to MP36PH-3C specification[1]

    Starting in 2015, Metra began converting its MP36PH-3S locomotives to the MP36PH-3C specification by removing the static inverter and replacing it with a separate HEP generator.

  5. 2020Production end[1]

    By 2020, all MP36PH-3S locomotives had been converted to MP36PH-3C specification.

  6. 2020All units converted to MP36PH-3C specification[1]

    As of 2020, all MP36PH-3S locomotives had been converted to MP36PH-3C specification.

  7. 2020All MP36PH-3S converted to MP36PH-3C[1]

    As of 2020, all of the MP36PH-3S locomotives have been converted to the MP36PH-3C specification.

  8. 2020Conversion completed[1]

    All 27 MP36PH-3S locomotives converted to MP36PH-3C specification by May 2020.

  9. 2020-05Conversion to MP36PH-3C specification[1]

    All MP36PH-3S locomotives were converted to MP36PH-3C specification by May 2020.

Documented models & variants

DesignationGenerationVintageChangesSource
MP36PH-3C—2003MP36PH-3S units were converted to MP36PH-3C specification by removing the static inverter and replacing it with a separate HEP generator.en.wikipedia.org[1]
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What replaced it?

  • siblingMPI MP36PH-3C— 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]
  • siblingMPI MP40PH-3C— Larger 16-cylinder EMD 710 G3B engine, 4,000 hp.source[1]
  • siblingMPI MP32PH-Q— Rebuilt from GP40WH-2, 3,200 hp, used by SunRail.source[1]
  • siblingMPI MP54AC— Genset locomotive, twin Cummins QSK60 engines, 5,400 hp.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.

  • Power output3,600 hp (2,700 kW)[1]
  • Head-end power (HEP)500 kW maximum, reducing traction power to 2,930 hp[1]
  • Head-end powerStatic inverter, maximum 500 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 kind of locomotive is the MPI MP36PH-3S?

The MPI MP36PH-3S is a diesel-electric passenger locomotive in the MPI MPXpress family, built by MotivePower for commuter rail service.[1][2]

Who operated the MPI MP36PH-3S?

Metra was the only railroad that ordered and operated the MPI MP36PH-3S.[1][2]

How did the MPI MP36PH-3S supply head-end power?

The MPI MP36PH-3S supplied head-end power through a static inverter that received power from the prime mover.[1][2]

What engine and power rating did the MPI MP36PH-3S use?

The MPI MP36PH-3S used an EMD 16-645F3B diesel engine rated at 3,600 hp.[1][2]

What happened to the MPI MP36PH-3S fleet?

Metra began converting the MPI MP36PH-3S locomotives to MP36PH-3C specification in 2015 by removing the static inverter and replacing it with a separate head-end-power generator. As of 2020, all of the MPI MP36PH-3S locomotives had been converted to MP36PH-3C specification.[1][2]

Not publicly documented

The following facts about the MP36PH-3S 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-3S are not on record.

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

  • The process node or technology generation of the MP36PH-3S 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-3S are on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM parts catalog or a service engineer

  • No publicly hosted manuals, SOPs, or datasheets for the MP36PH-3S 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]en.wikipedia.org — en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org
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Last updated Oct 20, 2026.

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