MotivePower

MotivePower
Name	MotivePower
Industry	Rail vehicle manufacturing
Founded	1972
Headquarters	Boise, Idaho, United States
Key people	John C. Hamm, Michael J. Ward, Andrew S. Rutter
Products	Locomotives, diesel-electric locomotives, genset locomotives, rebuilds
Parent	Wabtec
Num employees	800 (approx.)

MotivePower

MotivePower is an American builder and remanufacturer of diesel-electric locomotives and rail equipment, known for work on passenger, freight, and transit rolling stock. The company has supplied locomotives and overhaul services to agencies and operators across North America and has been involved with industrial clients, transit authorities, and Class I railroads. Its activities intersect with companies and institutions such as Wabtec, Amtrak, BNSF Railway, Union Pacific Railroad, and regional transit authorities.

History

MotivePower traces roots to work performed by contractors and industrial shops that served late-20th-century railroads, interacting with entities like General Electric (GE) and Electro-Motive Diesel during periods of locomotive renewal. The firm's growth occurred amid the consolidation trends that involved Talgo, Bombardier Transportation, and Siemens Mobility in North America. In the 1990s and 2000s MotivePower engaged with government agencies including Federal Railroad Administration and state transportation departments such as the California Department of Transportation and Washington State Department of Transportation for modernization programs. Corporate events in the 2010s linked the company to procurement and restructuring episodes that involved partners like Knorr-Bremse and Progress Rail. The company's narrative reflects broader shifts in rail policy influenced by legislation such as the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 and infrastructure initiatives championed by administrations including the Obama administration.

Products and Services

MotivePower's portfolio has included new-build diesel-electric road locomotives, genset switchers, cab cars, and extensive rebuild and remanufacture programs for rolling stock operated by customers such as Metrolink (Southern California), Sound Transit, TriMet, Caltrain, and SEPTA. Product lines have interfaced with prime systems from Cummins, MTU Friedrichshafen, Siemens Energy, Babcock & Wilcox, and electrical controls from suppliers like Alstom and ABB. Service offerings extend to heavy overhaul, component remanufacture, engine repower programs for designs originally by EMD (Electro-Motive Division) and GE Transportation, mid-life upgrades for fleets like those operated by Amtrak and regional commuter agencies, and warranty and parts support tied to contracts with Metra and MBTA. MotivePower has also delivered specialized equipment for industrial operators including US Steel and mining firms that contracted with Caterpillar-equipped fleets.

Manufacturing and Facilities

Manufacturing and overhaul operations have been based in facilities located in Idaho and other U.S. sites that connected to supply chains serving yards, shops, and testing sites used by Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway. The company's shops incorporated heavy machinery from manufacturers such as Wabtec and tooling consistent with standards followed by American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association projects. Facility expansions and retrofits occurred alongside collaborations with municipal partners and workforce development programs tied to institutions like Boise State University and technical colleges in states such as Idaho and Oregon. Test and commissioning activities involved rail corridors and yards used by agencies like Caltrans and testing protocols overseen by the Federal Railroad Administration.

Corporate Structure and Ownership

MotivePower became part of the broader corporate landscape through acquisitions and strategic alignments involving industry players including FMC Corporation, Progress Rail Services Corporation, and Wabtec Corporation. As an operating unit, the company has been integrated into divisions managing locomotive manufacturing, overhaul, and component services alongside sibling entities serving global markets such as GE Transportation assets acquired by Wabtec and operations formerly held by Alstom. Executive leadership has reported to boards and stakeholders including institutional investors, pension funds, and corporate governance bodies similar to those found at Norfolk Southern Corporation and CSX Corporation.

Major Contracts and Projects

MotivePower secured notable contracts for commuter and transit fleets, performing new-build and overhaul work for agencies including Metrolink (Southern California), Sound Transit, RTD (Denver), Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and Metra. The company participated in repower and modernization contracts that touched equipment originally built by EMD and General Electric for operators such as Amtrak and regional freight carriers like BNSF Railway and CP Rail. Projects often required coordination with federal funding streams administered by entities like the Federal Transit Administration and state-level grant programs from authorities such as the California Transportation Commission.

Safety and Environmental Practices

MotivePower implemented safety programs and environmental measures to comply with regulations set by agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Federal Railroad Administration. Emissions reduction efforts incorporated engines meeting standards developed under rules promulgated during administrations such as the Obama administration and later EPA rulemaking, utilizing powerplants from suppliers like Cummins and MTU Friedrichshafen configured to meet Tier standards. Workplace safety protocols aligned with best practices seen at major rail employers including Amtrak and Union Pacific Railroad, and environmental management actions paralleled initiatives promoted by organizations such as the American Public Transportation Association and state environmental agencies.

Category:Rolling stock manufacturers of the United States