EMD. What's next.

[Anonymous]

Now that where past the SD70MAC,SD80MAC,and the SD90MAC.
Since there is now a so-called SD70ACE and a SD70M-2. What does EMD have planned for next for once the current Models are ready for the scrapper in the near future? I mean that have reached the 90's then have jumped back the the 70's. What is next. LOL....I mean my God GE has got as far as the 44's,LOL.
The AC4400CW even in the GEVO format. Man,GE is smart! EMD has already ran out of numbers while GE is still running on the 44's. Oh boy! I just can't wait till the ES50AC come out,LOL. Hell I will even settle for an ES55CW or an ES60CW for that. Oh wait! I forgot there was an AC6000CW before GE went back to the AC4400CW's. Allan.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I would think that the builders have reached another plateau at the 4300-4400 HP level similar to the 3000 HP plateau of the 1970's. EMD is probably using the 70 series model numbers since the earlier models in that series were at 4000 HP. The higher numbers used were rated at higher HP.

I don't foresee higher horsepower above the current level for a while, if at all. Engineering and operating limitations brought up by others more knowledgable suggests that 5000-6000 HP is not practicable.

[trainboyH16-44]

I suppose that the SD80 and 90 were to the SD70 like the SD45 to the SD40. Maybe they'll come up with a whole new numbering system. After all, ALCo went RS1 RS32 C420 M630 (In MLWform)
We'll see, only time will tell....
Matthew

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the info.
Allan.

[dwil89]

GE started out with a numbering system that equated to Horsepower and number of Axles...A U23B in he 1960's stood for 'Universal Series' 2300 Horsepower and the B stood for 4 axle...a C would have denoted a six axle. They then went to a Dash designation, such as Dash-7, then Dash-8 and Dash-9....again B and C for number of axles, and then amount of Horsepower....railroads made up their own names for them , but a C40-8W in Conrail lingo meant a 6 axle 4000 HP GE Widecab. Now that we have reached the new century, instead of having a 'Dash-10', GE revamped their numbering system, and reclassiified their newest designs as the 'ES', or Evolution Series, with the 40 or 44 denoting the HP, and AC or DC denoting traction type. ES44AC would be the equivalent to an AC4400CW in the prior series. EMD has simply increased their numbers as a new model has come out with improvements over the previous models...SD40- SD50- SD60..etc....EMD has settled upon the SD70 moniker as its bread and butter line. Perhaps someday, EMD may reinvent its numbering system.

[carnej1]

Regarding the "HP Plateau" it's interesting to note that China just ordered over 200 new locomotives from Electromotive which are to be "China-ized" versions of the SD90MAC-H with the 6,000 HP 265H engine. Maybe this will allow them to finally work the (many) bugs out of it........................
GE also is testing a 6,000 HP 16 cylinder GEVO powerplant......

[DPD1]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CSSHEGEWISCH



I don't foresee higher horsepower above the current level for a while, if at all. Engineering and operating limitations brought up by others more knowledgable suggests that 5000-6000 HP is not practicable.

I don't either... Most of their focus will probably be in fuel conservation and emissions control. The market has proven there's no great demand for bigger units.

Dave
-DPD Productions - Featuring the TrainTenna LP Gain RR Scanner Antenna-
http://eje.railfan.net/dpdp/

[oltmannd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DPD1

QUOTE: Originally posted by CSSHEGEWISCH



I don't foresee higher horsepower above the current level for a while, if at all. Engineering and operating limitations brought up by others more knowledgable suggests that 5000-6000 HP is not practicable.

I don't either... Most of their focus will probably be in fuel conservation and emissions control. The market has proven there's no great demand for bigger units.

Dave
-DPD Productions - Featuring the TrainTenna LP Gain RR Scanner Antenna-
http://eje.railfan.net/dpdp/

There's a market for 6000 HP ACs. Note that UP and CSX and CR went after high HP ACs. UP even bought those "convertables" because they could hardly wait. Diesel engine woes are what killed them (temporarily). Conrail would have kept purchasing SD80MAC had they not been bought out.

EMD and GE moved way too fast getting their 6000 HP diesel engines to market.

The China deal may be what EMD needs to justify the expenditure to make the 265H engine reliable.

6000 HP ACs will eventually replace the 4000-4400 HP DCs, 2 for 3.

[BaltACD]

EMD needs to begin making locomotives that are RELIABLE.

The most recent products that my carrier has recieved from EMD have been break downs waiting to happen....and they happen sooner than later. All in all the recent EMD locomotives have performed much worse that GE's. (And I hate GE's.)

[rrnut282]

Why is EMD limited to using numbers divisible by 10? I seem to recall GP 7, GP9, GP18, GP20, GP24 as model numbers. Why not an SD77 or SD88? The model number is irrelevant, cost, reliablity, and availability are.