Have any EMD questions? Ask right here!

[cpbloom]

Why didn't EMD make 3600 HP "GP45s" and "GP45-2s", but later on make GP50s at 100 less HP?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dougal

Answer 1: Although I think Flexicoil trucks were availible on the SW1001, no railroads that I know of bought SW1001s with Flexicoils.

Answer 2: Ironically, MP15s are heavier than GP15s. Obviously, GP15s carry more fuel than MP15s. Finally, GP15s have a toilet, MP15 don't [;)]

The idea that EMD had with the GP15 was to compete with Paducah and the other rebuilders of old geeps with an EMD rebuild geep. Many items from the trade in were to be reused, like the generator and traction motors. So there could be considerable difference in the electricals between an MP15 and a GP15 if the GP15 was made from a retired GP7 or 9.

[Anonymous]

Yeah rdg. They killed GP8s, GP10s, and even CF7s.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dxr8007

Which company Railroad will buy new SD70ACe ? BNSF or UP or other company Railroad

Sorry for the wait for me to answer everyone. I had my hands full with my TAMR (Teen ssociaton of Model Railroaders, www.tamr.org ) publication. Only time will tell who gets them first, but I heard CSX ordered 20.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cpbloom

Why didn't EMD make 3600 HP "GP45s" and "GP45-2s", but later on make GP50s at 100 less HP?

One word: Slippage. GE didn't have too much sucess with the U36B model so EMD thought, "why do we waste our money on something that won't work?". The GP50's introduction was mainly due to an advancement in wheel slip control technologies, introduced by the rare GP40X model demonstators (which look a lot like what a GP45 would look like, flared rads and all). And even though the wheel-slip was corrected, the 645 engine started expiriencing stress problems because of the horsepower, so a GP45 would be a mechanic's nightmare. The GP50s were replaced by GP60s with a new 710 engine, but it was too late. The four-axle era of North American diesels was done.

[cpbloom]

You know you're right; I'm looking at the GP40X in the Trains Diesel spotters guide and it never crossed my mind that the GP40X looks like a 4 axle SD45. Thanks for the info.

[Anonymous]

I've got a question, Mark. What's the difference between a SD40X, a GP40X vs. a the rugular SD40 and GP40?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

I've got a question, Mark. What's the difference between a SD40X, a GP40X vs. a the rugular SD40 and GP40?

OK, this is VERY complicated, there were two SD40Xs and two GP40Xs. The first of these engines, the SD40X, was produced in the early 60s. It looks much like an SD35. I think it was numbered 434-(Some letter between A and H). a bit more than 10 were built, I think these were for GM&O and UP and the rest stayed. The GP40X was a lot like a GP45 (see previous question). Both of these were test units for a new prime mover.

The later GP40X and SD40Xs were built in 79 or 80 (don't know which one). The GP40X looked a lot like the earlier GP40x, and 23 were built. This was a prototype for the GP50. The SD40X looked a lot like an SD50S and an SD50. There were a handful of them built, all for Kansas City Southern. These were prototypes for the SD50.

One SD40X from the 60s is active on CN ( At least I think). the 80s GP40X is rare and I think there are only a couple still running on class 1s. The SD40X from the 80s is still motoring on KCS (Once again I think), but their days are definitely numbered.

Any clarifacations on the above text are appreciated.

[Anonymous]

A GP40X is still in use on the UP for official trains.

[Anonymous]

Hi Dougal ya know of any good Cab Ride Videos that I might like from Producers Etc,Also do you live by the Tracks if do have ya thot of adding a live Streaming Railcam that would be really cool.Please reply soon thanks

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Control-Stand

Hi Dougal ya know of any good Cab Ride Videos that I might like from Producers Etc,Also do you live by the Tracks if do have ya thot of adding a live Streaming Railcam that would be really cool.Please reply soon thanks

There are a lot of local producers that make great cab rides, but unless you live in Eastern PA like me, they are hard to access. I know Railroad Video Productions makes good cab rides, but I'm almost positive they are strictly Eastern PA/Western NJ. There are a lot of producers, and RR Video Product. is the best.

I live by a secondary but close to the mainline. I don't know about a railcam but there is a live scanner stream at a location about two hours (by car) from my house. Go to www.railroadradio.net and click "NS Harrisburg Line, Reading, PA .

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Ok Thanks Send me an E-Mail if ya like too I can ask ya some questions I dont want to fill up the forum here asking [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

I have a question about the labels on the Union Pacific SD70M sideframes. It is printed on each sideframe, at least when new, 43" wheel, 38" witness grove. Why do they have the witness grove on these wheels?

Thank you
Larry

[M636C]

Larry,

As you probably know, the standard locomotive wheel is 40" diameter. The notice draws attention that the SD70M in question was built with 43" wheels (which would very slightly reduce the tractive effort). The "witness groove" is a mark turned in the face of the wheel at 38" diameter (in this case). It is there to indicate wear, and as a mark to indicate the limit that the wheel can be turned down to in a wheel lathe when machining to correct the profile of the wheel for wear.

If you already knew all that, then I don't understand your question.

Peter

[M636C]

OK Guys, heres a really hard one:

What is the actual difference between the Alaska GP49s and the MKT GP39-2s built in 1983 to 1985?

The usual guide books (Spotter's Guide, Field Guide) say something like "The MKT units were built with standard GP39-2 machinery inside a GP 49 body".

So what is the difference between a 12-645F3B and a 12-645E3C ? The engines are probably very close to identical, except the E engine has a top RPM of 904 and the F engine is allowed 950. That could be altered if neccessary.

What about the electrical system. The GP49 has an AR15 alternator, which has a higher current rating than the AR10 in the GP39-2. This allows the GP49 to run with its motors in parallel all the time, which is necessary for the "Super Series" wheelslip control that all "50 series" units had.

So the difference was a smaller and cheaper alternator, not quite as good wheelslip systems, and 500 less horsepower. The MKT units probably cost quite a bit less to build as a result.

Alaska would have needed the wheelslip control more than MKT, given the general climate there! More slippery rails!

Anyway, that's my theory!

Peter