Other than AC has better low speed control, and has no copper windings to 'bird cage'? DC traction motors do not cost as much and for high speed service, they work just fine. As AC costs go down, I would suspect we will see more AC traction motor locomotives.
GE offered a AC 'A-1-A' trucked solution to BNSF last year for the same price as C-C trucked DC units. I have heard nothing about the results of the locomotives BNSF bought, but I have heard nothing bad from the field. My understanding is that the units were wired for 6 AC traction motors, but only have 4 invertors/traction motors, and GE claims they can be upgraded to full C-C units at some later point if desired.
Jim Bernier
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
What is the advantage and disadvantage of both?
Do you think AC will be the only thing available in the future?
Will
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