The quietest cabs would be on cab cars and those slugs with cabs still on used on the main line. The GE engine is mounted on rubber isolation mounts to tune out vibrations that would be transmitted to the frame. Just like the engine in your car. EMD's have those counter balance shafts that cancel out most of the vibration so that they are still mounted to the frame with steel chocks. The steel chocks won't wear out over a period of 50 to 60 years but the rubber isolation mount probably have to be inspected often. In EMD's case its considered better to build an isolated cab. EMD also has revised the location of the dynamic brake from behind the cab all the way to the rear of the locomotive in spite of all the extra cabling that has to be added. There's a lot of complaining about the noise on some EMD loco's on other forums but the owner didn't spring for the extra cost of the isolated cab. A sort of "B" unit with a cab.
I found a "lab test" done by hmmh using active noise control and a couple other methods and also wonder if the seats on the locomotives are adequate for the forces an engineer is subjected to. Have any companies addressed the back problems these guys have?
If I remember correctly EMD was first with the SD60I. They isolated the cab on a rubber ring to lower noise and vibration. I am not sure if or when GE started to do this if at all. Does anyone have any firm informtion of what GE has done?
Hey,
I think all EMD and GE has been doing is isolating the cabs from the frame. Such as mounting the cab on rubber bushings. I am not 100% on this, but I remember hearing that somewhere.
Hey, I'm wondering what the industry has been doing to make the cabs quieter, and free from vibration. Does anyone have any sort of documents regarding this? I am a student at BCIT and working on projects and am also curious as it will apply to my career. Thanks for any help!
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.