the 6000hp SD90MAC-H's had a lot of issues with the electrical system and this was the ultimate downfall of the locomotive. These units had had a number of modifcations to the electrical system, almost to the point that no two were exactly alike. Mechanically the units were sound and early problems with the 265H prime mover were solved, primarly overheating of the prime mover which was solved by thickening cylinder and block walls.
Bryan Jones
Bryan - I think your confusing this with the GE HDL engine where GE had to beef up the crankcase mostly because of vibration problems when they re-designed it as the GEVO engine.
A thought about the fuel oil dilution of lube oil problem. Enough dilution will wipe out the main bearings and ruin the crankshaft. I imagine being faced with a major repair on an engine the shop forces are not familiar with will prejudice them against it. I think that maybe what happened on one of the CP locomotives.
As was discussed in an earlier thread, Fortescue Metals of Western Australia purchased five SD90MAC-H units which were understood to be being rebuilt at Altoona into SD9043MAC units.
However, photos have been posted of two units, believed to be part of another five SD90MAC-H units repainted in Forstescue white and dark blue and numbered 902 and 904 being railed for shipping to Australia. These have the angled hood top associated with the 265H engine.
Apart from indicating that Fortescue will be running both types of SD90MAC, apparently due to needing locomotive power quickly to meet increasing demand from China for iron ore, it will be interesting to see if these locomotives will continue to run with the 265H or if they are rebuilt with 710G prime movers when locomotive demand is reduced as more locomotives come on line.
Do any posters here know the origin (presumably UP numbers) of the additional five units and where they are being refurbished?
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