Depends on what time frame, which RR, the railroads appear to have preferred EMD power for coal for the last 50 years. Even today I see 70ACe's on most coal loads for UP or BNSF.
Yes, the past 60-plus years have seen a lot of diesels hauling coal, and they vary between corporations and timeframes. You can go from RS-1s, 2s, and 3s to SD-7, SD9, Fairbanks Morse Train Masters, Sharknose Baldwins, all the GP variants, the list is lengthy, right up to the now-dated SD70 variants, and as stated, even the ACe.
Most modellers decide on their road and the timeframe concurrently, and then begin to do more research into what is available in the hobby.
BTW, if you haven't already, please feel free to post some questions in the Model Railroader set of forums on this trains.com site.
I worked at a power generating site for 10 years that had 'dirt burners.' In that time the motive power changed from SD50s to SD40/40-2s to DASH 8-40C/CWs to AC4400CWs.
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GeorgeB, .
Really going to depend on when and where..... Western current RR's use primarily SD70ACe's on coal, while NS uses mostly GE's on their coal. (From older 8-40C, 8-40CW, 9-40C, 9-40CW, ES40DC, to the newest ES44AC's and DC's on their roster.) CSX mixes their GE & EMD modern wide cabs on their coal trains. (Again, 8-40CW, 9-44CW, AC4400, former AC6000, and SD70, SD70MAC, SD80MAC, SD70ACe.) If not current time, than answers are different. (I believe CP prefers GE on coal, as all that I've seen have AC4400 or ES44AC units, but I maybe incorrect on that, as I've not seen very many of theirs.)
Bessimer RR used their SD45 series units, and CN still does, for their Coal trains.
B&P uses the SD45 series, along with other units, on theirs.
Really, for the correct answer for your question, we need more info in the question to be given properly. That info is, what RR, what area, and when?
Edit:Corrected spelling typo.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Burlington Northern's formerNP line through eastern Montana used U28C's almost exclusively on their coal trains from 1971 to at least 1977. I saw a set of F units on an NP coal train in August 1969.
- Erik
Remember, George, it's your railroad and you can run whatever power you want. (In the real world we're stuck with whatever they give us.)
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