First generation diesels, what's the cutoff

[DSchmitt]

HaroldS

I always thought the generations were defined by technology, rather than looks. 

More reasonable criteria than cosmetic differance in appearance. 

[DS4-4-1000]

HaroldS

Next wopuld be modular, solid-state controls, and then probably AC traction motors. Somewhere in there was the start of the third generation.

The only problem with that criteria is that GE introduced modular electronics on the U25B in 1959 and Alco followed suit with the Century series in the early 1960's.  EMD didn't used modular electronics until the "-2" lines came out in the early 1970s.

[7j43k]

I wonder if the term "generation", as used here, was ever used by locomotive manufacturers and/or railroads and/or railroad employees.

If not, then it was invented by railfans and/or modelers, for their own purposes.  And it was apparently not done by a "defining authority".  So there's going to be a variety of views on the matter, based on need and experience.

It's nice to talk about the concept, and exchange ideas.  But, for now, there does not seem to be an "official" definition.  So searching for one will be unrewarding.  Except for the search.

 

 

Ed

[BRAKIE]

7j43k

I wonder if the term "generation", as used here, was ever used by locomotive manufacturers and/or railroads and/or railroad employees.

Ed,As I already stated railroads nor builders use  "generation"... The term was coin in X200 South magazine as a mean to separate the different era of diesels.

[7j43k]

BRAKIE

Ed,As I already stated railroads nor builders use  "generation"... The term was coin in X200 South magazine as a mean to separate the different era of diesels.

 

 

So you did.  And it's nice to find the source of the term.  Perhaps the back issues of the magazine could provide a finer definition of the term.  Of course, definitions do drift and change.  

 

Ed

[BRAKIE]

Ed,That should be X2200 South..Also the "phase" term was coin in the same magazine to tell the detail difference in the first,second or third production run of the same locomotive.

Again railroads or the builders do not use "phase".

 

[SSW9389]

None other than Trains Magazine Editor David P. Morgan used the term second generation diesels in his book Diesels West. That book was published in 1963 before Extra 2200 South became common. 

[BF&D]

"My love of Rap music began and immediately ended with the Revolution Will Not Be Televised." Amen to Gil Scott-Heron! Second the "IMMEDIATELY". I'm 73 and pretty much ignore diesels - I went to see my Grandma riding behind Wabash steam; her husband died just before I was born and was a Wabash engineer, sent to NJ by the Army to learn to drive diesels, where he had a heart attack. How could I like the engines that killed my grandpa? Other grandpa was a Nickel Plate conductor - at least I got chance to ride in his caboose, albeit behind a Geep. Color me USRA steam for the most part.

[Dennis S. - Central Rockies RR]

Personally, I always considered the Box Cab Diesels as the first production generation.