So, I see from the Progress rail brochures that the Joule uses A2909 Traction motors, but I cannot figure out what Traction motors these are. The internet tells me the SD70ACe uses GM A3432. So, not the same. Are these partner motors? I assume in 2021 they are AC, but maybe not? Will the US version use the same motors will the trucks be the same?
Also I can't find the dimension of the joule, but she seems fairly light. Less than the weight of an SD7 with an empty tank if I'm reading it right. It seems sized well for being built on used frames...depending on the trucks and traction motors.
The A2909 is an AC motor designed for meter gauge application. It's the same diameter as the SD70MAC motor, a little smaller than the A3432. 29 is related to the diameter and the 09 the core length but neither are physical dimensions.
Dave
So presumably the US version of this locomotive will use the same or the A3432, or the F125's motor which is called A2921-5 according to the internet. But what trucks? Will PHL be getting a 100% new locomotive? will it also be a C-C design? again, it appears to be a light locomotive so it doesn't need 6 axles for weight.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the A3432 cannot be mounted in a traditional EMD Bogie. Would have to be a HTCR or newer. Would the 29XX motors fit on say a blomberg truck or a Flexcoil or HT-C?
YoHo1975 So presumably the US version of this locomotive will use the same or the A3432, or the F125's motor which is called A2921-5 according to the internet. But what trucks? Will PHL be getting a 100% new locomotive? will it also be a C-C design? again, it appears to be a light locomotive so it doesn't need 6 axles for weight. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the A3432 cannot be mounted in a traditional EMD Bogie. Would have to be a HTCR or newer. Would the 29XX motors fit on say a blomberg truck or a Flexcoil or HT-C?
I really know little about the Joule or what the PHL version will be, only the little I've read. The brochure (https://s7d2.scene7.com/is/content/Caterpillar/CM20210414-8d055-15cf8?_ga=2.200984493.2085086054.1620690392-1768995564.1618614885) says it's equipped with the GFC 3-axle fabricated bogie so I would expect the PHL locos would have a standard gauge version of that bogie which is used under the current model EMD AC traction international locomotives. You are correct that the A3432 won't fit in a bogie designed for the DX7 DC motors. The older trucks can be made to fit a 29XX motor with some major transom work but I doubt EMD would do that. I would expect the NA version of the Joule long term would be based on the HTCR-6 bogie under the Tier 4 locos. A big advantage the current design EMD fabricated bogies offer is the ability to readily modify them for any gauge, motor, or braking system without the big pattern expense of the cast bogies. Not to mention that the cost of cast bogies has rapidly increased in the past 20 years to where the fabricated bogies can be a cost savings, which wasn't the case earlier.
Are we at the point where blomberg and HT-c trucks are going to finally get sent to the graveyard? Minus the most recent round of remanufactured units. Is there a 4 axle design EMD could use if they wanted to? I wonder what they'd bid to Metra's project? Not 6 axle trucks I'd assume.
F125 with Batteries inside?
And I'm assuming if the trucks are changing, then reusing the frames becomes less of an advantage. In a 3000HP equivalent freight motor, all you might want to save is the cab.
The F125's use a bogie designed and produced by Vossloh in Valencia, Spain, now part of Stadler I believe. It has frame hung motors and disc brakes for up to 125 mph operation so I don't see that being used anywhere else. Any EMD rebuilds to AC traction would not reuse the GP or HT-C trucks in my opinion. If EMD needed a two axle truck for AC motors, the Siemens-designed trucks on the LIRR DE/DM30AC would work as EMD has the drawings and right to produce but I would expect a new design with a similar suspension but simpler frame to be made. For a 3-axle truck, a design based on the HTCR-6, either with or without radial steering, would be the likeliest.
Before my most recent retirement from EMD, I created a design and got a patent on a method to convert an HT-C truck to radial steering, we had some interest from a RR, but it was based on retaining DC motors while making the SD -2's more branch line friendly. As far as I know, it went no further though.
Tell more about this steering conversion -- and give a link to the patent. How is cross-level managed?
Here's the patent:
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/3d/fc/23/4567760e50fb08/US9771088.pdf
It retains most of the frame and bolster and adds modifications to the pedestals and to add bellcrank pivots for the end axles, not unlike the GE Steerable Truck but there is no interaxle connection. Rubber bushed axle traction rods allow for axle vertical and roll while constraining longitudinal motion but allowing yaw via the bellcrank linkage. The unique feature is a swiveling backplate on the bearing adapter to balance lateral force on the axle against the pedestal inner faces.
No physical prototype was made so its durability/reliability are unknown but it does create the axle yaw degree of freedom with control so I have no doubt it would have steered as intended. It is not mentioned but I am certain a bolster yaw stiffness would need to be added to restore the truck yaw to the centered position on tangent track.
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