Variable Horsepower Locomotives

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

In Australia, Goninan (the GE licensee) has built 120 CV40-9i's for National Rail. The V in the model designation indicates variable horsepower and these locomotives have three distinct horsepower settings, used primarily as a method of fuel conservation.
1. How are these different settings accomplished?
2. How well does this system work out in practice?
3. Has this system ever been offered in the United States?

[tree68]

I wonder if this is like the Caddy engine that varies the number of cylinders in use by need....

[Modelcar]

....I hope it works better than the ill fated 8-6-4 Caddy engine of a decade or more so ago....But GM has modernized the concept and is at it again and this time shows much promise. Know nothing of the railroad application in this country or any other.

[CShaveRR]

I thought I read somewhere that NS' 4000-horsepower GEs were capable of producing 4400 with a few in-the-cab adjustments. Somebody ought to know for sure whether that's the case.

[Anonymous]

Its all done with computerized fuel control. The RR can program the on board computers to different HP settings as needed.

[mudchicken]

Gee!.......and all this time I thought it had to do with how far you moved the throttle and reverser handles[:D][:D][:D][:D][swg]

[kenneo]

We have had variable horsepower engines for, for, well, for a very long time. An SD-40 does not produce 3,000 HP in run one. Only in run 8.

As MC said, Moo(k) move the lever, Moo(k) make meaner Dirty Bird eating machine. Send out from Lincoln to Denver?
[:D][}:)][C=:-)][dinner]

[mudchicken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kenneo

As MC said, Moo(k) move the lever, Moo(k) make meaner Dirty Bird eating machine. Send out from Lincoln to Denver?
[:D][}:)][C=:-)][dinner]

Better hope Mookster gets one of those good SD40-2's that was blue and yellow originally. Those tired, old cascade green clunkers won't get to McCook before the "Quasimodo Effect" (bells!, bells!, everywhere - bells!) kicks-in ![:D].....wonder if the Alliance shops people would entertain updating "carhenge" with green SD40's out there on the north end of town?

If Mookie's coming this way, please bring snow or some other form of moisture! [;)]

Strapping on my 3-toed Nikes[:D][:D][:D]

Iron Feathered One[banghead][banghead][banghead]

[kenneo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mudchicken

QUOTE: Originally posted by kenneo

As MC said, Moo(k) move the lever, Moo(k) make meaner Dirty Bird eating machine. Send out from Lincoln to Denver?
[:D][}:)][C=:-)][dinner]

Better hope Mookster gets one of those good SD40-2's that was blue and yellow originally. Those tired, old cascade green clunkers won't get to McCook before the "Quasimodo Effect" (bells!, bells!, everywhere - bells!) kicks-in ![:D].....wonder if the Alliance shops people would entertain updating "carhenge" with green SD40's out there on the north end of town?

If Mookie's coming this way, please bring snow or some other form of moisture! [;)]

Strapping on my 3-toed Nikes[:D][:D][:D]

Iron Feathered One[banghead][banghead][banghead]

I notice that the local rust merchant (aka P&W) uses blue and yellow GP-39's and bloody nose SD9's. Now looking like carrots. Have pictures of Cascade Green GP38 with BN fallen flag all over called Safety Engine - just before it comitted suicide by catching fire.

We could send you some moisture -- just got rid of 12 to 18 inches of snow we didn't need. Had to put flanges on the car for the first time in many years. We had 12 inches in our yard and we are on the river. A week of 12-15 degree weather when it normally does not go below 34 degrees. brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

(I wonder if Mook will take our bait????)

[Mookie]

I don't want to hear all the complaining about the snow - it is becoming a daily occurance around here! And it came from the Denver area this last time - gee thanx MC that is JUST what I wanted for Valentine's Day!

What is the deal with the SD 40's - I see the 40's through here a lot - seem to be doing ok. Only on freight - but they move right along - so talk to me!

And bait? We now have bait on the menu? Is it chocolate?

Mook

[M636C]

CSSHEGEWISCH,

I am almost sorry to get this thread back on to your question, but clearly what you needed was an Australian who, despite being 200 miles from home, had both his computer and a Goninan (Australian GE Licensee) brochure describing the Cv40-9i with him, for no good reason.

The ratings are 4020HP, 3560HP, and 2850HP. The engine has electronic fuel injection, which allows the quantity of fuel injected to be varied, independently of engine speed. I believe that with at least one of the settings, possibly 2850HP, the engine only operates up to notch 7 speed.

The intention was to provide a locomotive which could operate light trains economically, since the operator (originally National Rail, now Pacific National) was mainly involved in intermodal traffic, and train loads are smaller than in the US. These locomotives only weigh 132 metric tonnes, (the maximum allowed on Australian main lines) and in some conditions, lower power might reduce wheelslip .

Peter

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

I thought I read somewhere that NS' 4000-horsepower GEs were capable of producing 4400 with a few in-the-cab adjustments. Somebody ought to know for sure whether that's the case.

yeah, they can. I still hope NS buys EMD products though.