Least Favorite Diesel?

[traingeek087]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cdnlococo




Dear Sir,


For Looks alone AND I hear they were the Pits to work on, too. The Late Forties EMD BL2.


To be believed, they had to be seen.

I'm not the only one who doesn't like those. Never the less I would like to see one now a days, even though they are ugly.

[Paul Milenkovic]

What is the deal with GE's?

I heard that in the early 70's GE's had maybe slightly better fuel economy but that EMD's had them beat in terms of reliability, and that the only reason the railroad put up with GE is that they didn't want EMD to have a monopoly and raise prices.

I also heard that GE made an effort to go to railroad shops and give better instruction on how to maintain them -- the EMD's were what people were used to and the GE's were like "foreign cars." I also understand that GE now really has EMD on the ropes, that EMD had some stinkers in the GP50/SD50 series. But I also heard that the SD40-2 is considered the gold standard and as far as GE's of the same vintage, no one wants to talk about them.

And then Amtrak retires all of their F40's and buys all GE. While I am told the GE's are easier on fuel, what was wrong with the F40's? I live in a town served by Northwest Airlines, famous for their Twin Cities Scandinavean-heritage frugality, and they are still flying 60's vintage DC-9's over my head. Sure an Airbus is lower maintenance and a lot less fuel (and they have some of those), but the DC-9's are already paid for. What wears out on a locomotive that can't be replaced, especially when new locomotives are in the multiple-million dollar sticker price?

[wcfan4ever]

1. Genesis
2. Slugs(If you can consider them diesels)
3. F40's
4. F-Units, E-Units
5. Any New SD70ace...They look like crap, sure thier good, but the looks of them are horrible

[AltonFan]

I never much liked the looks of GP-30s, with that strange casing on the cab roof.

[mustanggt]

Those ugly F40PH's that metra uses.

[cprs8622]

I really dislike the AC4400, mostly because I hate desk top controls. I really like the NS Dash 9-40CW, there is still computer controls yet they have the standard control stand.

[Anonymous]

I once saw an FM on a submarine tender, it was three cylinders in a wey configuration with three crankshafts and six pistons. It was a horizontal engine, with a large bull gear driven by each crank. I think it was for a capstan or a winch.

The worst diesel? I've never worked on locomotives, but I can say the GM 6.2 litre is absolutly worthless.

[Anonymous]

I cannot if I try to like the BL-2.I from my childhood have loved the Funit be it
CN Rail or seeing model train f units with the Santa fe war bonnet.

Thank God for the freedom we have.

David

[Anonymous]

EMD's low nose SD24, and DD35, plus GE's U50C and Alco's C855. The history behind these locomotives are interesting, aside from their ghastly designs. GE's Genesis units aren't much better. Cesar Vergara's not much of an industrial designer. Where's Raymond Lowey when you need him???

[Anonymous]

the least favorite diesel would have to be the B23-7 and the DD35a.[soapbox]

[TH&B]

Don't realy like the;

1) GENESIS
2) BLS2 , but of course now they are so rare that they are a novelty
3) F40 , too boxy and plain looking, I don't hate them but they are dull

[TH&B]

Don't realy like the;

1) GENESIS
2) BLS2 , but of course now they are so rare that they are a novelty
3) F40 , too boxy and plain looking, I don't hate them but they are dull

[Train Guy 3]

The ones that catch fire.

[choochin3]

Anything With A WIDECAB!!!!!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Train Guy 3

The ones that catch fire.

That would be a "Toaster". Toaster is a slang name for GEs.

GE should have stuck to making toasters for the kitchen and not toasters for the rails.

[Train Guy 3]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

QUOTE: Originally posted by Train Guy 3

The ones that catch fire.

That would be a "Toaster". Toaster is a slang name for GEs.

GE should have stuck to making toasters for the kitchen and not toasters for the rails.

I'm not sure that would be a good idea. We had a GE toaster once and it cought fire. Fire must just be a normal GE thing.

[AlcoRS11Nut]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Paul Milenkovic

What is the deal with GE's?

I heard that in the early 70's GE's had maybe slightly better fuel economy but that EMD's had them beat in terms of reliability, and that the only reason the railroad put up with GE is that they didn't want EMD to have a monopoly and raise prices.

I also heard that GE made an effort to go to railroad shops and give better instruction on how to maintain them -- the EMD's were what people were used to and the GE's were like "foreign cars." I also understand that GE now really has EMD on the ropes, that EMD had some stinkers in the GP50/SD50 series. But I also heard that the SD40-2 is considered the gold standard and as far as GE's of the same vintage, no one wants to talk about them.

And then Amtrak retires all of their F40's and buys all GE. While I am told the GE's are easier on fuel, what was wrong with the F40's? I live in a town served by Northwest Airlines, famous for their Twin Cities Scandinavean-heritage frugality, and they are still flying 60's vintage DC-9's over my head. Sure an Airbus is lower maintenance and a lot less fuel (and they have some of those), but the DC-9's are already paid for. What wears out on a locomotive that can't be replaced, especially when new locomotives are in the multiple-million dollar sticker price?

I just don't like them, never did (never will), also I hear they are P.O.S. and are the "disposable locomotive", use once and throw away. Not like an EMD or ALCo that is rebuilt and used forever like SP's SD7's, and SD9's.

[AlcoRS11Nut]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

QUOTE: Originally posted by Train Guy 3

The ones that catch fire.

That would be a "Toaster". Toaster is a slang name for GEs.

GE should have stuck to making toasters for the kitchen and not toasters for the rails.

Couldn't have said it better myself, I wish I thought of that.

[Paul Milenkovic]

I guess what I meant by my question is that GE's originally had a reputation for being unreliable and unrebuildable and that railroad only bought GE's to have a "second source" for locomotives. Lately, however, GE's seem to own the new locomotive market and Amtrak has gone from all EMD to all GE.

Have GE's suddenly gotten better or does Amtrak have a lot of money to throw away?

[locomutt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Paul Milenkovic

I guess what I meant by my question is that GE's originally had a reputation for being unreliable and unrebuildable and that railroad only bought GE's to have a "second source" for locomotives. Lately, however, GE's seem to own the new locomotive market and Amtrak has gone from all EMD to all GE.

Have GE's suddenly gotten better or does Amtrak have a lot of money to throw away?

Amtrak has money[?][:)]
I was thinking the taxpayers were taking care of them!

[#oops]

[Anonymous]

Hmmm, When I worked for the railroad I liked our railroads Geeps, (9's). They had one Alco C425. Athough as a railfan I loved it I hated it the few times we worked it as it's stairs were horrible.... like a ladder or bookcase... the best loco for switching was the CF7 we had it was tired as the engineers and mechanics told me but it has really nice steps easy to climb up and down and plenty of rom to ride the bottom step. I also asked the engineer if he prefferredlong hood forward or short hood forward. His response was he liked long hood for the high noses as it was easier to see arounf d the short hood when running in reverse...... he always preffered running forwards though

[railman]

I've never been a big fan of the GE modern units...they all look the same!!!

[ericsp]

Since I am not a locomotive engineer or mechanic, my choice as to which diesel locomotive I like the least is based on looks. The award goes to the BL2. Maybe that is where they came up with the phrase "ugly enough to make a freight train take a dirt road". I remember hearing a rumor that they were so ugly that there was a railroad that would only run them at night. However, that is a poor reason to make a business decision, so I doubt it is true.