ASME Erie Section: Locomotive Modernization at Wabtec

Description

Join ASME Erie and speaker Michael P. Sirak, PE on April 18th for a presentation: Locomotive Modernization at Wabtec. When GE Transportation became the market leader of new domestic locomotives (~1994 – present), their popular product was the Dash 9 and the AC4400 locomotive. These locomotives are now 20 to 25 years old yet are seeing a renewed life in the locomotive modernization market. With engine and control system upgrades, these workhorses of the past are being renewed and released back into service with better reliability, improved fuel consumption, and improved emissions. This lecture will cover how a locomotive operates, and how Wabtec can offer a renewed life to an already dependable product. Michael Sirak graduated summa cum laude from Gannon University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. He began his professional career at GE Motors, in 1988, as a product design engineer, specializing in the design and application of direct current motors and generators used in open pit mining equipment. During this period, he attended the GE Advanced Engineering Courses, and obtained a Master of Science from Case Western Reserve University, majoring in mechanical and aerospace engineering. Michael then transferred to GE Transportation in 1992. While at GE Transportation, Michael has managed and was principal engineer for several engineering teams involved with locomotive, off highway vehicle, wind drive train, and energy storage systems. GE Transportation was purchased by Wabtec Corporation in 2019, and currently Michael is a principal engineer for the locomotive modernization team. Michael is a registered Professional Engineer, Certified Six Sigma Blackbelt, and a US Patent holder. Michael has been a member in the ASME Erie section since 1985 and is a past section chairman. Pizza and drinks will be served.