How long will the GP's last???

[Gary UK]

Surely there will always be work for the lower powered, lighter and smaller locomotives.

How do serve a shortline or spur track that cant take an AC44 or SD70ace and needs the smaller unit to work it???

[Ulrich]

My guess is that the GP's will probably be around for another 20 to 30 years at least. They will be modified to higher clean air and safety standards...

[carnej1]

It would appear that GE and EMD are not interested in the mid-range to low end (3000 HP and less) of the market, probably since that market is pretty much being covered by rebuilds which sell for a lot less than a new locomotive.  MPI and the genset builders are also getting into this market, which is starting to get crowded.

 Except that both manufacturers are now offering frame up rebuilds for older power using new engine/electrical packages. Despite reusing the frames and some other components(trucks) this process yields what is essentially a new locomotive. Keep in mind that many of the Genset units are built on older Geep and Dash 7 frames.................

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I'll say this, I hope they are around for a long time.  GP38s and the like are classic locomotives, and always good to see.  Gensets are interesting because they are new and different, but I wouldn't want a world dominated by them, they wouldn't be that interesting.

but they arnt going to be... as they profect genset techonlogy you are going to see older units getting replaced by more fuel efficent and less emistions generating power.. can blame it on the green movment...

csx engineer 

It isn't just the green movement, gensets will also put a sizable dent in fuel costs which will help the bottom line.  I'm looking forward to seeing more of them, in part because they aren't either EMD or GE.

[BigJim]

NS just rebuilt and upgraded a bunch of GP-38AC-2"s. So I guess they will be around a while longer.

[csxengineer98]

I'll say this, I hope they are around for a long time.  GP38s and the like are classic locomotives, and always good to see.  Gensets are interesting because they are new and different, but I wouldn't want a world dominated by them, they wouldn't be that interesting.

but they arnt going to be... as they profect genset techonlogy you are going to see older units getting replaced by more fuel efficent and less emistions generating power.. can blame it on the green movment...

csx engineer 

[trainfan1221]

I'll say this, I hope they are around for a long time.  GP38s and the like are classic locomotives, and always good to see.  Gensets are interesting because they are new and different, but I wouldn't want a world dominated by them, they wouldn't be that interesting.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

It would appear that GE and EMD are not interested in the mid-range to low end (3000 HP and less) of the market, probably since that market is pretty much being covered by rebuilds which sell for a lot less than a new locomotive.  MPI and the genset builders are also getting into this market, which is starting to get crowded.

[edbenton]

As long as the Frame is not broken and you can get replacement parts for things like the brake equipment Trucks and as long as they keep making steel probably a very long time.  I worked for RELCO and we had one come in that our welders were like OH CRAP we have our work cut out for us they ended up replacing 80% of the sheetmedal on it and replaced all the internals however she ran out the door.

[da_kraut]

Hello everybody,

I read the Trains magazine "Locomotive 2008" and this created this question:  How many times can you rebuild a GP locomotive and still have a viable product.  Sure EMD now has 710 engines with fewer cylinders to suit rebuilds but you are still working from an old platform.  Then there are the gen sets.  How suitable are they to branch line operation over prolonged distances.  For example Rail America has the GEXR which operates up to four GP38 or GP40 on their grain trains.  How would a gen set survive as an all around locomotive?  Is it time for the GE or EMD to come up with a replacement?  Could a European locomotive producer have the solution for a smaller engine to replace the great GP?

So now I would like to ask for the vast knowledge base of the great forum members as to what you see is the future of the GP.

Thank you

Frank