What is the future of EMD?

[ndbprr]

EMD was dumped a year or so ago by GM and is under new owners. If you go to their web page the only freight engine being offered is two versions of the SD70. Only one switcher is available and four passenger engine models. That means EMD has more offerings domestically for commuter trains than for freight. I wonder if the new ownership has the resources to offer a new freight engine or have we seen the last of new offerings for awhile? EMD has nothing in their catalog that I see to replace the hundreds and probably thousands of GP7, GP9, GP15, GP38 engines some of which are approaching 60+ years of age. Anyone care to prognosticate about the near term future at EMD? Say the next 5-10 years.

[coborn35]

Rebuilding.
Thats what BNSF just did with 30 some GP38-2's.

[Anonymous]

They have that Gp20 somthing in there... u dont call that a replacement for those old units?

[coborn35]

Waht?

[Anonymous]

http://www.gmemd.com/en/locomotive/switcher/gp20d/index.htm
god ur retarted some times max...

[chad thomas]

The way I see it the SD70M and it's ACe version are the SD40-2s of this era. It is a prooven model that will probably be the star of EMDs catalog for years to come.

[Anonymous]

There's no need for new GeePs. There are so many old ones to be rebuilt. The SD70M-2 and ACe are the modern SD40-2. RRs want more HP now than ever so they wouldn't be buying 2000HP GeePs.

[ndbprr]

I disagree about the need for Geeps. Class Ones certainly move freight in volume and distance that justifies the horspower but the shortlines and class twos they are spinning off just don't need it and as the GP7 and GP9 models get to the point of no return there should be a need for more fuel efficient and modern engines.

[PBenham]

Now that it is "free" from GM, Electro-Motive looks to be better off now than it was back last year. Tier II emissions compliant engines are all problematic headaches for their owners. GE and EMD still have lots of work to do to get the "bugs" out of their powerplants. GM was in no position to do much, since they ran into a crisis caused by poor quality products for over a quarter century-- both on the highway and on the rails! Now, EMD will be doing things the way the rest of the world's locomotive builders, and MPI, do business: build what the customer specifies! "Buy this Locomotive!" ( and make it fit the jobs you want it to do, whether it is right for those jobs, or not) will not work in the modern world! From the old "[censored] Yankees"tune:" Ya Gotta Have Heart!"-"We gotta get better,'case we can't get worse!"

[Anonymous]

ndbprr. You're right mostly, but consider this. Most shortlines could not afford a brand new locomotive, even if it was a smaller Geep. Besides, when GP9s, GP38s ect. get worn out, that's why they're rebuilt. And if a railroad needs more power, that's why there's leasers.

[nssr9169]

First of all a new loco. can cost up to 2.5 million a peice how are 20 mile shortlines supposed to afford that. Our sociaty is all about recyculing and rebuilding those tride and true EMDs with micro processers so you get the best of both worlds.......... once EMD proves its worthey ness again I'm shure there will be plenty more models to choose from............But unlike the railroads of the 50's and 60's they all want the loco's to be the same......eayser to maintain.[:)]

[ericmanke]

I agree that EMD is better off now then under GM. It has a proven machine in the 70 series, and it looks like orders are begininning to come in. I think EMD is beginning to market themselves better again, and hopefully the new Tier 2 models will put them back on top.
As far as a need for new medium to low horsepower stuff, that's a different question. Rebuilding has carried us this far, at least since the last GP38-2 was built new, but don't count on that for long. Money is an issue. No one will pay/finance a new loco for that job when there are all of these used locos available. But what is available these days for rebuilds? 4 axle units like the GP38 or GP38-2 are commanding huge prices in the market now. The first round of rebuilds were the geeps and CF7s. These were main line power when new, and got bumped as new higher horsepower units came on the scene. GP38s and the like were purchased with secondary service in mind, not as mainline power. Sure they pitch in, but sooner or later something is going to give. Todays geeps are the SD40-2. These are the only used engines that are really affordable right now, and available in large #s. But there not as utilitarian as a GP9 or GP38-2. Sure, you can deturbocharge them, and make them into drag SD38-2s, but is that what is really going to be needed for the market in 8 years? Or will the SD40-2 turn out like the F-units, in that though a quality engine, might not be fit for rebuilding into a universal engine?
Railpower is the big question mark. The Goats appear to be for real, and the orders are starting to come in. Will Railpower be able to survive producing these, especially after the governement assistance money to buy "green power" is gone? Will EMD or GE try to compete for this market? Or will one of them buy Railpower, and add their selection to their catalog. Will regionals and shortlines get the money to update their tracks to a higher standard to handle heavier locomotives and cars? What will the foreign market bring for the major builders in the future? I think these are some questions that need to be addressed by the builders. The future looks bright for both builders, and I hope that the newly independent EMD can at least regain a portion of their former glory.

[coborn35]

QUOTE: Originally posted by willard1346

http://www.gmemd.com/en/locomotive/switcher/gp20d/index.htm
god ur retarted some times max...

Your such a smartass sometimes Will.

Youll notice you put GP20! Those are old units, and I WOULD NOT call them replacements!

But the loco you are refering to is a GP20D, not a GP20.

Here is a plain GP20:


Here is a GP20D:


See Will, specifics matter!

Ha, I finally foiled Will![oX)]

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

As I see it now, EMD and GE are the two major manufacturers for the various Class I's and larger regionals. Both are positioning themselves for this market and should both do well after getting the bugs out of their current designs for high-horsepower road locomotives.

MPI and Railpower are each positioning themselves for their own niches. MPI has pretty well cornered the suburban locomotive market and is getting occasional bites for its switcher designs. Railpower looks like it will get the major share of the market for low-emissions switchers and light road-switchers with its Green Goat and gen-set designs. Once the bugs get shaken out, they should do well. NRE is well-established as a rebuilder so its gen-set designs are not a make-or-break proposition for them.

If the various low-emission designs establish a good reputation for reliability , sales of them should continue even after the government assistance fades out.

Now that the MPI/EMD marketing agreement seems to have ended, I don't foresee any of the niche builders entering to new agreements with EMD or GE.

[ValorStorm]

Did everyone miss the obvious answer? Or did we deliberately ignore it? The concerns that ndbprr expressed about EMD can just as easily be applied to GE! Their domestic lineup is fundementally: 2 versions of the GEVO, NO switcher, 1passenger loco.

Bottom line? Both manufacturers are offering what they want to sell, and what they're most likely to sell.