MK5000C
Encyclopedia
The MK5000C is a 5000 hp North American diesel-electric locomotive developed by the rail division of Morrison Knudsen known as MK Rail. At the time of its introduction in 1994, the MK5000C was the most powerful single prime mover
diesel-electric locomotive
ever made, a title it would hold for only for one year until GE Transportation Systems
released its competing 6000 hp AC6000CW
model in 1995.
In the early 1990s MK Rail, a long time locomotive remanufacturer, announced its plan to compete directly with Electro Motive Division (EMD) and GE Transportation Systems
(GE
) by beginning its own high-horsepower locomotive program, starting with a 5000 hp DC drive locomotive and continuing with 5500 hp and 6000 hp AC drive locomotives in later years.
In response to the MKRail program, GE announced the 6000 hp AC drive GE AC6000CW
, and EMD announced the 5000 hp SD80MAC, and later the 6000 hp SD90MAC both AC drive locomotives.
V12
3612 diesel engine. This diesel engine remains one of the largest engine blocks used in rail service in North America. The Cat 3612 features a 280 mm (11 in) bore with a 300 mm (11.8 in) stroke and has a 1121 cu in (18.4 l) displacement per cylinder, 13456 cu in (220.7 l) total. The 3612 has dual turbochargers that are liquid aftercooled. The 3612 idles at 300 rpm and has a maximum speed of 1000 rpm.
The Caterpillar
3612 drove a KATO 16P12-27000 main alternator
which was capable of handling 8400 amperes at 1315 V DC at 1000 rpm. The power generated by the main alternator drove 6 MK1000 traction motors, each with a gear ratio of 83:20 and connected to 40 inches (101.6 cm) wheels which allowed the MK5000C a maximum speed of 70 mph (31.3 m/s). The MK5000C rode on two 3 axle Dofasco
designed bolster-less trucks, the same that many Canadian MLW and GE designed locomotives ride on.
The first 3 MK5000C were 71 inch long, while the last three were 73 inch in length, all 6 were 15 foot tall and 10 ft (3 m) wide. The MK5000C weighed 396000 lb (179.6 t).
Like most modern locomotives the MK5000C was microprocessor controlled, using an in-house designed system called the MK-LOC. This system monitored the performance of all aspects of the locomotive and controlled the power output as well as the traction control/adhesion of the locomotive. The MK5000C also had electro-pneumatic braking, provided by the EPIC 3102 air brake system which can be found on locomotives of other builders.
The MK5000C carried 5300 US gallons (20,100 L) of diesel, 246 US gal (931 L) of lubricating oil, and 320 gallons (1,210 L) of coolant. This coolant system was unlike that of most other North American locomotives, using a water/antifreeze mix; only with a few Caterpillar repowered switchers and the Electro Motive Division SD90MAC share this trait.
The MK5000C generated 118000 lbf (524.9 kN) of continuous tractive effort, and produced around 35% adhesion on dry rail.
, and another three in August 1995 for demonstration on the Union Pacific Railroad
. Due to termination of the MK Rail high horsepower program neither railroad purchased the model, and the units were returned after one year of demonstrations. Production was stopped after the sale of MK Rail in 1996, and 3 more partially built units sat in storage until 2001 when their frames were scrapped by MK Rail successor MotivePower Industries. One of the MK5000C cabs was used on DM&E 5000, a former ATSF
SD45B
rebuilt into a "SD50M-3". This unit is still in service as MPEX 5000, and can be found in lease service on various railroads in North America.
In 2001 The Utah Railway
tested and later acquired all 6 units from Wabtec
, the owner of MotivePower Industries. However, after one year of operation, all units were out of service due to problems with the main bearings on the Cat 3612 diesel engine and Kato main alternator. The units were returned to Wabtec and had the Cat 3612 and Kato main alternator removed and replaced with an EMD AR11 main alternator. At the same time, the engine blocks were replaced by EMD 3500HP 16-645F3B
diesel engines from 5 retired Union Pacific EMD SD50 and 1 retired Union Pacific EMD GP50 locomotives. The 6 units were reclassed with the designation MK50-3 and are now back in service with the Utah Railway.
Prime mover (locomotive)
In engineering, a prime mover is an engine that converts fuel to useful work. In locomotives, the prime mover is thus the source of power for its propulsion. The term is generally used when discussing any locomotive powered by an internal combustion engine...
diesel-electric locomotive
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
ever made, a title it would hold for only for one year until GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation, formerly known as GE Rail, is a division of General Electric. The organization manufactures equipment for the railroad, marine, mining, drilling and energy generation industries. It is based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Locomotives are assembled at the Erie plant, while engine...
released its competing 6000 hp AC6000CW
GE AC6000CW
The AC6000CW is a diesel electric locomotive that is built by GE Transportation Systems. They are all used by major railroads in the United States, except for 8 units exported to BHP Billiton Iron Ore in Australia...
model in 1995.
In the early 1990s MK Rail, a long time locomotive remanufacturer, announced its plan to compete directly with Electro Motive Division (EMD) and GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation, formerly known as GE Rail, is a division of General Electric. The organization manufactures equipment for the railroad, marine, mining, drilling and energy generation industries. It is based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Locomotives are assembled at the Erie plant, while engine...
(GE
Gê
Gê are the people who spoke Ge languages of the northern South American Caribbean coast and Brazil. In Brazil the Gê were found in Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Piaui, Mato Grosso, Goias, Tocantins, Maranhão, and as far south as Paraguay....
) by beginning its own high-horsepower locomotive program, starting with a 5000 hp DC drive locomotive and continuing with 5500 hp and 6000 hp AC drive locomotives in later years.
In response to the MKRail program, GE announced the 6000 hp AC drive GE AC6000CW
GE AC6000CW
The AC6000CW is a diesel electric locomotive that is built by GE Transportation Systems. They are all used by major railroads in the United States, except for 8 units exported to BHP Billiton Iron Ore in Australia...
, and EMD announced the 5000 hp SD80MAC, and later the 6000 hp SD90MAC both AC drive locomotives.
Technical
The MK5000C was powered by the 5000 hp CaterpillarCaterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Inc. , also known as "CAT", designs, manufactures, markets and sells machinery and engines and sells financial products and insurance to customers via a worldwide dealer network. Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas...
V12
V12 engine
A V12 engine is a V engine with 12 cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of six cylinders, usually but not always at a 60° angle to each other, with all 12 pistons driving a common crankshaft....
3612 diesel engine. This diesel engine remains one of the largest engine blocks used in rail service in North America. The Cat 3612 features a 280 mm (11 in) bore with a 300 mm (11.8 in) stroke and has a 1121 cu in (18.4 l) displacement per cylinder, 13456 cu in (220.7 l) total. The 3612 has dual turbochargers that are liquid aftercooled. The 3612 idles at 300 rpm and has a maximum speed of 1000 rpm.
The Caterpillar
Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Inc. , also known as "CAT", designs, manufactures, markets and sells machinery and engines and sells financial products and insurance to customers via a worldwide dealer network. Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas...
3612 drove a KATO 16P12-27000 main alternator
Alternator
An alternator is an electromechanical device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy in the form of alternating current.Most alternators use a rotating magnetic field but linear alternators are occasionally used...
which was capable of handling 8400 amperes at 1315 V DC at 1000 rpm. The power generated by the main alternator drove 6 MK1000 traction motors, each with a gear ratio of 83:20 and connected to 40 inches (101.6 cm) wheels which allowed the MK5000C a maximum speed of 70 mph (31.3 m/s). The MK5000C rode on two 3 axle Dofasco
Dofasco
Dofasco is a steel company based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, which is also home to longtime Canadian rival Stelco. Dofasco is currently a standalone subsidiary of ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steel producer. Previously ordered by the U.S...
designed bolster-less trucks, the same that many Canadian MLW and GE designed locomotives ride on.
The first 3 MK5000C were 71 inch long, while the last three were 73 inch in length, all 6 were 15 foot tall and 10 ft (3 m) wide. The MK5000C weighed 396000 lb (179.6 t).
Like most modern locomotives the MK5000C was microprocessor controlled, using an in-house designed system called the MK-LOC. This system monitored the performance of all aspects of the locomotive and controlled the power output as well as the traction control/adhesion of the locomotive. The MK5000C also had electro-pneumatic braking, provided by the EPIC 3102 air brake system which can be found on locomotives of other builders.
The MK5000C carried 5300 US gallons (20,100 L) of diesel, 246 US gal (931 L) of lubricating oil, and 320 gallons (1,210 L) of coolant. This coolant system was unlike that of most other North American locomotives, using a water/antifreeze mix; only with a few Caterpillar repowered switchers and the Electro Motive Division SD90MAC share this trait.
The MK5000C generated 118000 lbf (524.9 kN) of continuous tractive effort, and produced around 35% adhesion on dry rail.
Appearance
The MK5000C at first look appears similar to many 1990s era EMD locomotives. The MK5000C has a fuel tank and long hood that appear very similar to EMD designs, however mechanically the MK5000C shares very little in common with any EMD product.History
A total of 6 examples were built, three in August 1994 for demonstration on the Southern Pacific RailroadSouthern Pacific Railroad
The Southern Pacific Transportation Company , earlier Southern Pacific Railroad and Southern Pacific Company, and usually simply called the Southern Pacific or Espee, was an American railroad....
, and another three in August 1995 for demonstration on the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
. Due to termination of the MK Rail high horsepower program neither railroad purchased the model, and the units were returned after one year of demonstrations. Production was stopped after the sale of MK Rail in 1996, and 3 more partially built units sat in storage until 2001 when their frames were scrapped by MK Rail successor MotivePower Industries. One of the MK5000C cabs was used on DM&E 5000, a former ATSF
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859...
SD45B
EMD SD45
The EMD SD45 is a six-axle diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between December, 1965, and December, 1971. Power was provided by an EMD 645E3 twenty-cylinder engine which generated 3,600 HP. This locomotive shared the same common frame with the EMD SD38, EMD SD39, EMD...
rebuilt into a "SD50M-3". This unit is still in service as MPEX 5000, and can be found in lease service on various railroads in North America.
In 2001 The Utah Railway
Utah Railway
The Utah Railway is a class III railroad operating in Utah and Colorado, and owned by Genesee & Wyoming Inc.-History:The Utah Railway Company was incorporated on January 24, 1912, with the name of Utah Coal Railway, shortened to Utah Railway in May of the same year...
tested and later acquired all 6 units from Wabtec
Wabtec
Wabtec Corporation is an American company formed by the merger of the Westinghouse Air Brake Company and MotivePower Industries Corporation in 1999....
, the owner of MotivePower Industries. However, after one year of operation, all units were out of service due to problems with the main bearings on the Cat 3612 diesel engine and Kato main alternator. The units were returned to Wabtec and had the Cat 3612 and Kato main alternator removed and replaced with an EMD AR11 main alternator. At the same time, the engine blocks were replaced by EMD 3500HP 16-645F3B
EMD 645
The EMD 645 family of diesel engines was designed and manufactured by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors. Intended primarily for locomotive, marine and stationary engine use, one 16-cylinder version powered the 33-19 "Titan" prototype haul truck designed by GM's Terex...
diesel engines from 5 retired Union Pacific EMD SD50 and 1 retired Union Pacific EMD GP50 locomotives. The 6 units were reclassed with the designation MK50-3 and are now back in service with the Utah Railway.