GM ( EMD ) or GE

[Train Guy 3]

Who builds the better locomotives General Motors or General Electric?

[Train Guy 3]

Who builds the better locomotives General Motors or General Electric?

[Anonymous]

i think that both are great. however. i'm used to EMD loco's since i'm from miami fla. which is home of both FEC and CSX. i grew with the FEC the only engines i ever saw were EMD GP9's and GP40-2's. so you know who i'm going with..[:)]

[Anonymous]

i think that both are great. however. i'm used to EMD loco's since i'm from miami fla. which is home of both FEC and CSX. i grew with the FEC the only engines i ever saw were EMD GP9's and GP40-2's. so you know who i'm going with..[:)]

[Anonymous]

I'm more of an EMD guy. Because i don't see any GE's in Alaska. All we got is 4
MP-15s, 8 GP38-2s, 15 GP40-2s, 9 GP49s (the only ones left in the whole country!) and 16 SD70MACS. But I have nothing against GE thou.

[Anonymous]

I'm more of an EMD guy. Because i don't see any GE's in Alaska. All we got is 4
MP-15s, 8 GP38-2s, 15 GP40-2s, 9 GP49s (the only ones left in the whole country!) and 16 SD70MACS. But I have nothing against GE thou.

[Anonymous]

in my opinion as far as reliability its EMD all the way. despite the complicated traction control computers in the new ACs they are prone to less line of road failures, they are easier to work on and they dont keep catching on fire like those GEs and its not just one particular model ive seen fire damage on every thing from a B-36m to the newest of the 6000s which were a waste of money because they were all derated to 4400 hp because the engines kept flying apart. the main generator in a 4400 has a life expectancy of about 2 years i am yet to see an SD 70 with a burnt up main i do like the starting ststems of the GE how it uses the traction alternator rather than actuall starting motors and i like the 6000s for the simple reason that you can load one in notch 8 and talk normally across the cab this is due to the derated load they are just loping at 4400 hp

[Anonymous]

in my opinion as far as reliability its EMD all the way. despite the complicated traction control computers in the new ACs they are prone to less line of road failures, they are easier to work on and they dont keep catching on fire like those GEs and its not just one particular model ive seen fire damage on every thing from a B-36m to the newest of the 6000s which were a waste of money because they were all derated to 4400 hp because the engines kept flying apart. the main generator in a 4400 has a life expectancy of about 2 years i am yet to see an SD 70 with a burnt up main i do like the starting ststems of the GE how it uses the traction alternator rather than actuall starting motors and i like the 6000s for the simple reason that you can load one in notch 8 and talk normally across the cab this is due to the derated load they are just loping at 4400 hp

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Train Guy 3

Who builds the better locomotives General Motors or General Electric?

Your question is "age old". Who builds better cars--Ford or Chevy, Lincoln or Cadillac? Do you prefer vanilla or chocolate ice cream? Would you like "nuts" on your hot fudge sundae? See what I mean? It is an opinion question and everyone will have an opinion. I know that today we have only two choices, however, ALCO fans will want to know why you didn't include ALCO in your question. There are many Alco locos still pulling freight around the railroads, just not on the large Class 1 s.

There is a current poll called "What's Your Favorite Locomotive Manufacturer?" You can go to the poll and vote for your favorite and also list your reasons why it is so. You can also read many post both pro and con about each of the manufacturers.

There is also a poll called "Your Favorite Railroad Decade". You can take that poll and tell everyone which decade is your favorite and why.

The loco poll is in the trains.com forum and the decade poll is under the classic trains forum. The last time I checked EMD and Alco were engaged in a dual. GE is far behind.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Train Guy 3

Who builds the better locomotives General Motors or General Electric?

Your question is "age old". Who builds better cars--Ford or Chevy, Lincoln or Cadillac? Do you prefer vanilla or chocolate ice cream? Would you like "nuts" on your hot fudge sundae? See what I mean? It is an opinion question and everyone will have an opinion. I know that today we have only two choices, however, ALCO fans will want to know why you didn't include ALCO in your question. There are many Alco locos still pulling freight around the railroads, just not on the large Class 1 s.

There is a current poll called "What's Your Favorite Locomotive Manufacturer?" You can go to the poll and vote for your favorite and also list your reasons why it is so. You can also read many post both pro and con about each of the manufacturers.

There is also a poll called "Your Favorite Railroad Decade". You can take that poll and tell everyone which decade is your favorite and why.

The loco poll is in the trains.com forum and the decade poll is under the classic trains forum. The last time I checked EMD and Alco were engaged in a dual. GE is far behind.

[wabash1]

I have never ran a alco ( at least i dont think so ) I rather hae a EMD they pull better sound better ride better and they are better built . they have less emissions from the exhaust than a GE. the EMD is a much better engine.

[wabash1]

I have never ran a alco ( at least i dont think so ) I rather hae a EMD they pull better sound better ride better and they are better built . they have less emissions from the exhaust than a GE. the EMD is a much better engine.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wabash1

I have never ran a alco ( at least i dont think so ) I rather hae a EMD they pull better sound better ride better and they are better built . they have less emissions from the exhaust than a GE. the EMD is a much better engine.

Alcos can be good engines in many ways, I ran a few on short lines before hiring out on my first class 1. They can kick cars like no EMD or GE ever built and throttle response is good when the units are maintained. Unfortunately, they also leak all fluids like a sieve and can be tricky electrically at times.

EMDs are head and shoulders above GEs. They run better, are more reliable and are easier to limp home if need be. GEs have poor electrical systems, have relays based on air (so guess what happens if you get an air leak) and are sluggi***o start and move. The newer GEs also have those @#$%&*! EPIC or similar computer junk brakes that will slam you around if you are not careful. Older GEs have narrow doorways and many of the resets are much more difficult to find and use than EMDs.

'nuff said.

LC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wabash1

I have never ran a alco ( at least i dont think so ) I rather hae a EMD they pull better sound better ride better and they are better built . they have less emissions from the exhaust than a GE. the EMD is a much better engine.

Alcos can be good engines in many ways, I ran a few on short lines before hiring out on my first class 1. They can kick cars like no EMD or GE ever built and throttle response is good when the units are maintained. Unfortunately, they also leak all fluids like a sieve and can be tricky electrically at times.

EMDs are head and shoulders above GEs. They run better, are more reliable and are easier to limp home if need be. GEs have poor electrical systems, have relays based on air (so guess what happens if you get an air leak) and are sluggi***o start and move. The newer GEs also have those @#$%&*! EPIC or similar computer junk brakes that will slam you around if you are not careful. Older GEs have narrow doorways and many of the resets are much more difficult to find and use than EMDs.

'nuff said.

LC

[JoeKoh]

I'll take pictures of either one.
stay safe
joe

[JoeKoh]

I'll take pictures of either one.
stay safe
joe

[wabash1]

electronic brakes are very good. and work great. and i rather have these type brakes on all the engines i run. as trail units. As for the doors on oleder ge engines you are right glad we dont have many of these around any more.

[wabash1]

electronic brakes are very good. and work great. and i rather have these type brakes on all the engines i run. as trail units. As for the doors on oleder ge engines you are right glad we dont have many of these around any more.

[Anonymous]

they both have their pros and cons

[Anonymous]

they both have their pros and cons

[Anonymous]

I'm a GE kind of guy, looking at my TV, toaster, DVD player.... Printer.. various lightbulbs around the house...

Oh yeah and My MP3 files.. bet no one knew MP3 is associated with GE.

[Anonymous]

I'm a GE kind of guy, looking at my TV, toaster, DVD player.... Printer.. various lightbulbs around the house...

Oh yeah and My MP3 files.. bet no one knew MP3 is associated with GE.

[Anonymous]

I say NEITHER[:p]
ALCo built the best locomotives around, such as the S-2 or 4 or T-6 not enough horsepower to spin their wheels. So what you say, well that translated into tremendous tractive effort, they would pull just about anything you put behind em. Hell a single S-2 could move a solid cut of 30 loaded grain cars on flat ground.[:)][:D][8D]

[Anonymous]

I say NEITHER[:p]
ALCo built the best locomotives around, such as the S-2 or 4 or T-6 not enough horsepower to spin their wheels. So what you say, well that translated into tremendous tractive effort, they would pull just about anything you put behind em. Hell a single S-2 could move a solid cut of 30 loaded grain cars on flat ground.[:)][:D][8D]

[Anonymous]

My guess is that current GM and GE are more or less equal, each has its pro-s and con-s. Where an order is placed is a matter of who offers the best financial terms.
Jan - the European.

[Anonymous]

My guess is that current GM and GE are more or less equal, each has its pro-s and con-s. Where an order is placed is a matter of who offers the best financial terms.
Jan - the European.