Trains.com

Question about locomotives in storage

6331 views
12 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Atlanta
  • 11,971 posts
Posted by oltmannd on Thursday, January 21, 2010 7:59 PM
CSSHEGEWISCH
Cost isn't the only issue.  Ethylene glycol does not mix very well with lube oil if it leaks into the crankcase (bearing failures).
That is the ultimate deal killer....

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Back home on the Chi to KC racetrack
  • 2,011 posts
Posted by edbenton on Thursday, January 21, 2010 12:14 PM

Same thing with anything you use for Antifreeze.  I had a C-15 with Dexcool aka propylene glycol get an INTERNAL oil cooler leak.  Ever seen 11 gallons of Mayo made in 1 minute at 65 MPH.  Let alone the bang it made when the Connecting Rod from #2 came thru the side of the block. 

Always at war with those that think OTR trucking is EASY.
  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, January 21, 2010 12:07 PM

Cost isn't the only issue.  Ethylene glycol does not mix very well with lube oil if it leaks into the crankcase (bearing failures).

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Atlanta
  • 11,971 posts
Posted by oltmannd on Thursday, January 21, 2010 11:59 AM
edbenton
The ONLY RR engine Designed to use any Antifreeze is the H-series by EMD.  The GEvo and FDL and 710 use plain Treated water in the Radiator.  The cost alone would prevent Antifreeze usage.  Most Cooling systems are in the area of 300-400 gallons in the Locomotives.  Can you imagine 200 gallons of coolant leaking out and getting into a water supply.  That stuff is a Haz-mat and is Poison to animals.  Now imagine you have 4000 locomotives you need 150 gallons of Anti-freeze for EACH at 10 bucks a gallon.  You want to explain to your shareholdes why your cutting the Dividind by 20 cents a share.
You could use propylene glycol. It's non-toxic - in fact it's used to keep shredded coconut moist (read the ingredients on a bag next time you're in the supermarket). It has nearly the same properties as ethylene glycol when used as anitfreeze.

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Back home on the Chi to KC racetrack
  • 2,011 posts
Posted by edbenton on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 12:24 PM

The ONLY RR engine Designed to use any Antifreeze is the H-series by EMD.  The GEvo and FDL and 710 use plain Treated water in the Radiator.  The cost alone would prevent Antifreeze usage.  Most Cooling systems are in the area of 300-400 gallons in the Locomotives.  Can you imagine 200 gallons of coolant leaking out and getting into a water supply.  That stuff is a Haz-mat and is Poison to animals.  Now imagine you have 4000 locomotives you need 150 gallons of Anti-freeze for EACH at 10 bucks a gallon.  You want to explain to your shareholdes why your cutting the Dividind by 20 cents a share.

Always at war with those that think OTR trucking is EASY.
  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: USA
  • 161 posts
Posted by rstaller on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 5:08 PM

I thought I read awhile back, some of the newest prime movers, had an automotive type cooling system that used permanent antifreeze.  If this is the case, would this negate draining the block? R. Staller

  • Member since
    February 2016
  • 176 posts
Posted by Tugboat Tony on Saturday, January 16, 2010 6:09 AM

Depends on how long the unit is going to be parked for, if its for a few days, nothing will be done, a few months, just drain the water, six months or more, drain water, cap stack and cut the batts.  most all of the C45 turbo change units have been brought back to life. ( can't win them all i guess... lol)

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • 965 posts
Posted by Lyon_Wonder on Monday, January 4, 2010 11:36 PM
Some GEVOs were or are in storage too due to turbo problems.  This problem with a certain number of GEVOs caused BNSF to put their SD75s back on the mainline.  GE may have resolved this issue by now though.
  • Member since
    June 2009
  • 6 posts
Posted by Trainrev on Monday, January 4, 2010 6:17 PM

Are the long "dead" lines of locomotives that we saw a year ago still around? The one that existed at Brooklyn yard in Portland, OR, is gone. -- Tom H.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, January 4, 2010 6:12 PM

Is it possible that because of the very cold weather the RRs are bringing some units back in service to prevent any stoppage in case a unit fails in this cold weather or that the trailing tons allowed are less below certain temps?

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Atlanta
  • 11,971 posts
Posted by oltmannd on Monday, January 4, 2010 12:40 PM
Conrail used to drain the water, pull the batteries, cap the stack and then put a steel band around the long hood to prevent canibalization.

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 2,989 posts
Posted by Railway Man on Sunday, January 3, 2010 12:03 PM

 No one-size-fits-all policy, and it depends how long it is thought the locomotive will be in storage, and how likely it is that it will ever emerge from storage and be returned to service.

In almost all cases, the coolant is drained.  Oil, usually not.  Batteries removed, sometimes.  Cab doors locked, maybe.  Stacks covered, maybe.  Radios removed, usually.

I used to purchase locomotives out of dead lines and got them from everything from fuel in the tank, batteries charged, just add water and hit the start button after months in storage; to parts missing that had been cannibalized surreptiously by the forces of the adjoining shop.

I don't know what "servicing" anyone does other than shove the locomotive into a track.  Generally if the locomotive has a defect or is not working, that is a very good reason to put it into storage and not fix the problem.

RWM

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Southern Germany
  • 34 posts
Question about locomotives in storage
Posted by XRAY on Sunday, January 3, 2010 9:09 AM

 With all the locomotives in put into storage over the last couple of years a question came into my mind. Are the locomotives serviced, drained of water, oil, disconnect batteries etc? Or are they simply parked and locked up?  

Thanks in advance

John

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy