LIRR #152 Builder Plate

The LIRR MP15-AC Engine Roster

Photo: LIRR MP15-AC cab #157 - 9/2023 Photo/Archive: Jerry Carmine

By the early 1970's , the LIRR was looking to replace the first L1's (C420's), RS1's, Rs3's, and S1's. ALCO was not building engines in the US and the carrier was not buying MLW engines from Canada . The serious option considered was GE and the UB18's . However, when the new Master Mechanic came from the Milwaukee Road (which just ordered MP 15's), the order was placed for MP15's and the GP38's.

The class "E15's" were mostly used on the Oyster Bay branch. Rarely were they used as power to KO ( Ronkonkoma ), but were used on the weekday scoot to Greenport (GY). There were times they were used as a second unit to Pt. Jeff and Montauk on heavier trains, but this was not the norm as the heavier Montauk trains rated two E20's (GP38's)

In the later years, the LIRR used them as HEP units (600 VDC HEP, another LIRR oddity). OB trains would have one at one end running HEP, the other pulling the train, or a GP-38-2 at the other end. The HEP unit would idle at notch 3 or so I think, and not supply traction power. This lasted until the bi-levels came on. Bizzare but it worked and IIRC, the LIRR saved good amount of $ doing it...

The Chief Mechanical Officer at the time selected them. He felt, as most Long Island railroaders at the time believed, that a small road switcher would be the best choice for our operation. The short-haul-quick-turnaround type of scheduling was ideal for a road switcher. The unit would accelerate quickly and had a top speed that could keep our schedules.

They were also very low cost and inexpensive to operate, which was quite important at the time they were purchased. The Milwaukee Road had lots favorable experience with EMD products and the CMO had been a former Milwaukee Road employee.  History would show that they were a good selection for the job and an excellent replacement for the RS-3's.

As stated above, the LIRR had a long history with ALCO products, but they were unfortunately no longer available. Had they been, then the LI would have most likely remained an ALCO customer.  LI Tool

LIRR #154

LIRR #154 Smithtown 
Photo: Mike Koehler

LIRR #154 Morris Park  c.1990's
Photo: Bobby Kasza

Farmingdale 3/21/1992
Photo: Al Castelli

Wellwood Ave 1/05/2006
Photo: Al Castelli

 
LI City 3/20/2006 
Photo: John McCluskey

 
LI City 3/20/2006 
Photo: John McCluskey


Fresh Pond Yard #154 in new paint 
10/22/2017 Photo:  Greg Grice

LIRR #156 Smithtown 2/03/2003 
with NYA logo. Photo: John Volpi 
 

LIRR #156 Pine Aire siding 12/2001 NYA logo.  Out of Service about 2 years.  Photo/Info: John Volpi

Maspeth 3/13/2006
Photo: John McCluskey

Fresh Pond 6/20/2007 
Photo: Joe Gregory

LIRR #157  Hicksville 4/05/1986
Photo: Al Castelli

LIRR #157 Morris Park  c.1990's
Photo: Bobby Kasza

Farmingdale(?) Central branch #157
drilling freight Photo: Mike Koehler

NYA #159 Prima Asphalt 11/13/2004
 Photo: John Volpi


NYA #159 Bay Ridge Branch 6/02/2007
Photo: Joe Tischner

NYA #159 Jamaica Station 8/03/2007
Photo: Adam Moreira

LIRR #163 Morris Park  c.1990's
Photo: Bobby Kasza

LIRR #163 Smithtown Ash Train WB
Photo: Mike Koehler

  
LI City 3/20/2006
Photo: John McCluskey

LIRR #167 Morris Park 9/2002
Photo: Bobby J. Kasza

Smithtown work train c.1983
Photo: Mike Koehler

Morris Park 4/07/2007
Photo: Dietrich Ryan

Heading out of the siding, MP15AC #168 leads a ballast train eastbound. Lindenhurst,  Wellwood Ave. siding 11/11/2004 Photo: Lester Zmudzinski

 
LI City Yard A c1970's
Photo: Steve Hoskins

  

#170 at St. James10/08/2003
Photo: John Volpi

171P Ronkonkoma c.1985
Photo: Mike Koehler

Oyster Bay 7/1982
Photo: John Volpi