Oh Boy! (Think like that Baltimore weatherman)

We have breaking news tonight, the MBTA Board has approved a rather expensive contract with MotivePower Industries for twenty new diesel locomotives for the Commuter Rail. Really, it's about time they got around to doing that. Finally, something logical is done by the world's most illogical transit authority. Oh, wait, never mind. Nope, as usual all logic is banned from being associated with the (T). Instead of the logical purchase of an MP36PH or maybe an MP40PH, the (T) has gone for a custom design. Because that worked so well for the Bredas. They have ordered 20 MPI HSP-46 locomotives. No, I haven't heard of them either. Essentially, instead of going with a proven locomotive type powered by prime movers closely related to those in their entire existing fleet, the MBTA has gone with some powered by the GE Transportation GEVO diesel prime mover. Which has never been used in a passenger, let alone dedicated commuter, locomotive. With the state of the Commuter Rail fleet the (T) should, but doesn't, think about more than just what any given equipment purchase will cost in and of itself. These new engines may well be like the coming (late) Rotem bilevels, the cheapest deal the (T) could find for their equipment needs. However, their current fleet has its own issues, such as aging cars and locomotives, especially the standard F40PHs, that are almost falling apart. The new engines are expected to be delivered starting in 2013, and it seems with some maintenance the current locomotive fleet can hold on till then, but how much longer? It took the (T) ten years to get the entire Breda fleet into service on the Green Line. The F40s can survive till the new ones get here, but especially with a custom, untried design, there is no guarantee they will work, and work well, the first time. If they turn out good, the MBTA will have made the right decision, and gotten a good deal from the lowest bid. If, however, the HSPs have a lot of problems or are lemons, the MBTA could be forced to rebuild the F40s again to keep the trains running, another huge cost. That doesn't even take into account that all the current engines are very similar, while the new ones will be unique, not just to the (T) but in the whole country. That's reassuring twenty years from now when there won't be a good parts supply. Same for the Rotem cars. The MBTA thinks that given their financial situation they have to take the lowest bid, yet they can't afford to buy custom, untested designs given the state of all their fleets, because it could cost them so much more if their experimental units turn out to be failures. Great, logical thinking, MBTA. Not.

And so it goes, another day ranting forever 'neath the streets of boston.