Seen from the European viewpoint, since this concerns World: most American locomotives are far too heavy for any serious operation here in Europe. Maybe this is also a reason very few GP/SD 38/40-2s ever found their way here.
But for Europe GE is manufacturing small class 70s for U.K. to be used by two operators, Freightliner and Colas rail. Something slightly heavier will be purchased by Estonian Vopak EOS / ERS. The latter model is basically a lightened ES44 looking like P42 and will be classified for some reason with Russian method as Te33A. The 15 locomotives are due to arrive in late 2014. You also have to remember that Estonia still has about 50 operating GE C36-7is in traffic, handling much of the freight traffic in the fast developing EU member country.
There is also the totally hideous looking (whoever said that industrial designers are not needed...) Powerhaul 29, but this is presumably built for the Turkish markets. Only 2 units run in Central Europe occasionally.
zkr123Since railroad companies are buying these new gensets, will they be replacing the gp38s and sd40s of the world?
Powerhaul 29:
And some views of the pretty great looking locomotive fleet of the Eesti Raudtee in current day Estonia:
1) Gentlemen, start your engines!
2) Haulin cans near Tapa in Aegviidu, Estonia.
3) Some heavy rain along the way. This one is from Tapa too.
4) Switching in Narva, Estonia just 200 meters from the Russian border.
Looks just like a U-25.
Are those 5-foot gauge rails?
The gauge change is no big deal, just a matter of trucks (bogies), but if US designs are too heavy, how did they reduce the weight?
If GM "killed the electric car", what am I doing standing next to an EV-1, a half a block from the WSOR tracks?
Since railroad companies are buying these new gensets, will they be replacing the gp38s and sd40s of the world?
One problem is that a lot of the GenSets (North American market) being constructed by the smaller manufacturers are re-using frames from GP9, 30s, 38 and so on - so in effect that GP38 may be replacing itself.We're gonna need more 4-axle frames sooner or later - only so many times you can re-use a GP7 frame by disguising it with new sheet-metal body and new prime mover(s)...
It is almost 5", actually 4 ft 11 27⁄32 in. The Soviet empire narrowed the gauge by 4 millimeters and only Finland (once part of the Zhars Russians autonomic region, but never part of Soviet empire) stuck with the 5´ gauge.
In Estonia, due to its Soviet heritage infra the weight on these units is just in tolerable level, But the inflexible bogies are causing every few years a lot of complaints for ruining the switches. Even then, I see these units regularly in the switcher or road switcher assignments in addition to their normal duty in "flying road freights". They can really run fast sometimes!
Paul Milenkovic Are those 5-foot gauge rails? The gauge change is no big deal, just a matter of trucks (bogies), but if US designs are too heavy, how did they reduce the weight?
chutton01 Since railroad companies are buying these new gensets, will they be replacing the gp38s and sd40s of the world? One problem is that a lot of the GenSets (North American market) being constructed by the smaller manufacturers are re-using frames from GP9, 30s, 38 and so on - so in effect that GP38 may be replacing itself.We're gonna need more 4-axle frames sooner or later - only so many times you can re-use a GP7 frame by disguising it with new sheet-metal body and new prime mover(s)...
It is not true that that no one builds brand new (including new frame) single engine 4 axle freight units for the North Market any more.
Canadian Pacific is taking delivery of brand spankin' new GP22ECO units from Progress/EMD that have new frames, cabs and car bodies. If they exercise all their options they will roster more than 200 of these in the next few years.
The locomotives do however,reuse some components from retired GP9's, mainly trucks and traction motors.
As far as older Geep frames aren't they really just large weldments? I.e strip em', sandblast and repaint them and you can build a new unit on them.
I suspect the frames could go to 100 years or more if properly maintained..
"I Often Dream of Trains"-From the Album of the Same Name by Robyn Hitchcock
A lot also depends on where the unit is to operate. Gensets are used in the LA basin for emissions, where elsewhere BNSF is rebuilding older EMDs.
Talk about reliable American technology with a long life span!
carnej1 I suspect the frames could go to 100 years or more if properly maintained..
What constitutes a "new" locomotive? Many "new" GP-7's amd GP-9's(in some years most) used trucks from FT's. I don't think reuse of a frame defines a locomotive as a rebuild. Frame, trucks, car-body & cab, fans, sanders, auxiliaary alternator, altogether, then we have a rebuild.
The GP15D/GP20D were EMD locomotives in name only, as they were designed and built by MPI but were marketed by EMD, not unlike Freightliner road tractors when they were marketed and sold by White.
Gensets have been more common in Texas and California because of clean air requirements in those states.
And I don't believe Gensets have proven to be all they were advertised either.
UP, in addition to GP22ECO's being built (or are they GP32ECO) and the SD59MXs also remanufactured a huge number of SD40-2s so they are still going strong.
single engine 4 axle is actually what is driving the lease and used market now. I believe I've heard that 4 axle used now commands a higher price than 6 axle.
chutton01 I want a line of all new 4 axle power in decent numbers dang-it, and apparently I've wanted it as far back as 2006!
I want a line of all new 4 axle power in decent numbers dang-it, and apparently I've wanted it as far back as 2006!
If a railroad wants to purchase brand new single engine intermediate horsepower 4 axle units they can;
GE has done sales presentations on a 4 axle 2200HP GEVO locomotive but has not had any orders yet:
http://www.fasterfreightcleanerair.com/pdfs/Presentations/FFCACA2008/Pete%20Lawson.pdf
Brookville locomotives has built a number of all new BL20G locomotives:
http://www.brookvillecorp.com/locomotive-freight.asp
So the the type of locomotives you want are available you just need to get the Industry to order them..
What I have heard from crews that operate GenSets - they hate them - taking way too long to load as coming off idle, only the primary prime mover is operating, as the computer decides the load is too much for the primary then the next prime mover is fired up and so on to fire up the 3rd prime mover - once the load becomes reduced for whatever the reasons, the computer shuts down the prime movers except for the primary. These engines are being used in various switching services and crews find them maddening.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
BaltACD...coming off idle, only the primary prime mover is operating, as the computer decides the load is too much for the primary then the next prime mover is fired up and so on to fire up the 3rd prime mover - once the load becomes reduced for whatever the reasons, the computer shuts down the prime movers except for the primary.
Reminds me sort of those automobiles with engines which automatically turn off after idling for a few seconds (at a stop light or something). Maybe when new they start right back up when the driver presses the accelator, but after 10 years and 150,000 Kms...
I think the Gensets have been OK in Hump service where the slow loading issues aren't such a big deal, but then, Hump service seems like it doesn't need multi engines.
I assume that those GEVO I6 units are just coming in too expensive to justify versus a Brookeville or an EMD ECO.
YoHo1975 I think the Gensets have been OK in Hump service where the slow loading issues aren't such a big deal, but then, Hump service seems like it doesn't need multi engines. I assume that those GEVO I6 units are just coming in too expensive to justify versus a Brookeville or an EMD ECO.
Or it's just that the industry prefers EMD 2-cycle engined locomotives for the type of service we are talking about.
The Brookeville units have only been bought by a transit operator thus far..
BaltACD What I have heard from crews that operate GenSets - they hate them - taking way too long to load as coming off idle, only the primary prime mover is operating, as the computer decides the load is too much for the primary then the next prime mover is fired up and so on to fire up the 3rd prime mover - once the load becomes reduced for whatever the reasons, the computer shuts down the prime movers except for the primary. These engines are being used in various switching services and crews find them maddening.
Maybe, (Heaven forbid in this day and age) it would be better if instead of the computer deciding everything, the operator would be given some say as to when the prime movers turn on and off. If he knows he will be needing them soon, he can start them up a few minutes early or keep them running a little longer. There can still be a computer override to keep them from running an excess amount of time.
It's a bit of a pet peeve of mine that many modern cars and appliances dictate what I have to do and in what sequence. I know when I need headlights or windshield wipers.
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
The Estonian locomotives are ex UP exx MP C36-7's, regauged to 5 feet
Jan Arne Rodland
I should have said, 58 ex UP, plus 19 ex Conrail
Yes, that is correct.
jarodlan I should have said, 58 ex UP, plus 19 ex Conrail
Here is a picture of both types, with C36-7i above and C30-7i below. The C30-7is have now been retired.
Good eye, Paul Milenkovic. The flanged wheels probably wouldn't even notice.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.