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Switcher question

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  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Rhode Island
  • 2,289 posts
Posted by carnej1 on Monday, October 15, 2007 11:38 AM
 The first NRE genset switcher which was built for UP was a center cab. It was built only about 2 years ago. It uses an MP15 frame with a center cab and 2 gensets in short hoods front and rear. However all the current units in their catalog have the cab at one end (with a low short hood in front) including units that are mechanically identical to that UP locomotive (1400 HP,2 engine). This is probably due to customer feedback requesting improved visibility..

"I Often Dream of Trains"-From the Album of the Same Name by Robyn Hitchcock

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Chicago, IL
  • 104 posts
Posted by MILW205 on Monday, October 15, 2007 9:45 AM

Also, part of the reason for an end-cab design is increased visibility during switching manuvers.  Granted, this means that you get a somewhat longer hood obstructing visibility when switching the opposite direction; but with the center-cab design, you have the hood obstruction no matter which way you are going. 

As another example, when PC/CR was re-engining Alco RS-3's with EMD engines from E's, the  units had at that point basically been relegated to local/switching duties.  If I am not mistaken, the first conversion example had the short hood removed entirely to increase visibility, resulting in a strange "porch" appearance.  (However, as far as I know, they made the judgment that the extra expense of removing the hood was not worth it, so that appearance was not repeated on subsequent RS-3 conversions.)   

  • Member since
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  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Monday, October 15, 2007 8:05 AM
Most center-cab switchers such as the 44-ton and various industrial switchers had two engines, so a center cab was not an unreasonable design.  A variation on the center cab was attempted with the C415, which had a V12 251 engine, but it had uneven axleloads and the wiring was unnecessarily complex.
The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: N.W Indiana
  • 4 posts
Posted by LM&I engineer on Monday, October 15, 2007 1:26 AM
center cab style switchers  had very small cabs. to put one on a switch engine today with the horse power that is required the cab would be even smaller.we are much better with end cabs and short hoods.
engineer Michael Laingren
  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: MP 175.1 CN Neenah Sub
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Switcher question
Posted by CNW 6000 on Sunday, October 14, 2007 10:48 PM

With genset type switchers gaining popularity, would 'center cab' type switchers re-appear?  Why did they stop being made?

Dan

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