The existing fleet will continue to fail crankshafts at an accelerated rate because the engines are all in a very similar age range out of overhaul, except for the few with recent engine changes, and Keolis and the MBTA have not been able to keep up with need for main bearing renewals. The 645E3C engine will not put up with operation on bearings with excessive wear. When the discussion of this RFP began, about ten units of the 1025 and 1050 series were listed out of service, one with a failed main generator, one with a damaged air compressor and stubshaft, and the rest with main bearing and crankshaft problems. That is a percentage of units out of service for simple mechanical failures that is far in excess of the EMD fleets on other commuter agencies. Changing the units to microprocessor controls won't do anything to limit or reduce these kind of mechanical failures. They have got to get a handle on this situation by engine rebuilds and replacements before it eats them alive. And they don't have very much time left to do it.
MX
"We Repair No Locomotive Before Its Time"