GP vs SD

[gwjordan1950]

If you die hard GP lovers would like to see them in action everyday, you need to go to the NS yard,( old Nickle Plate Yard), in New Haven In. They use the 38's & 40's to do their everyday switching. When I work there, My shop was just behind the elevators to the Northy. You could here the gp's laboring and Smoking all day long. What would be nice to see out there on revenue frieght would be, the 700 series Berk's, on the Nickle Plate!!!!

[gwjordan1950]

If you die hard GP lovers would like to see them in action everyday, you need to go to the NS yard,( old Nickle Plate Yard), in New Haven In. They use the 38's & 40's to do their everyday switching. When I work there, My shop was just behind the elevators to the Northy. You could here the gp's laboring and Smoking all day long. What would be nice to see out there on revenue frieght would be, the 700 series Berk's, on the Nickle Plate!!!!

[joho2486]

The only possible way for the 4-axle power to make a comeback onto America's main lines is if there is a management style change from the top to the bottom. The management change would involve a change from large trains going between large yards to having small yards with smaller trains between the terminals. Yes, there would still be the large manifests that we see today, but I'm thinking of smaller trains going between the intermediate terminals to avoid the large terminals (In other words, having many small trains instead of having few, very large trains). Then, the 4-axle power makes sense; it's cheaper than the 6-axle power in terms of maintence costs for 2 extra traction motors, it's more flexible on curves, plus, if traffic is to be taken off of the highways, more short rail corridors need to be created. Since the traffic base is usually small to begin with, costs need to be kept at a bare minimum to allow the best cost-effective service. Therefore, smaller power, not bigger power, may be the better solution if traffic from the road is to be shifted to the rail.

[joho2486]

The only possible way for the 4-axle power to make a comeback onto America's main lines is if there is a management style change from the top to the bottom. The management change would involve a change from large trains going between large yards to having small yards with smaller trains between the terminals. Yes, there would still be the large manifests that we see today, but I'm thinking of smaller trains going between the intermediate terminals to avoid the large terminals (In other words, having many small trains instead of having few, very large trains). Then, the 4-axle power makes sense; it's cheaper than the 6-axle power in terms of maintence costs for 2 extra traction motors, it's more flexible on curves, plus, if traffic is to be taken off of the highways, more short rail corridors need to be created. Since the traffic base is usually small to begin with, costs need to be kept at a bare minimum to allow the best cost-effective service. Therefore, smaller power, not bigger power, may be the better solution if traffic from the road is to be shifted to the rail.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by f14aplusfl

Come to Florida and check out the Florida East Coast Railway.... most of their fleet is 4axle locomotives and they are leading the FEC trains.... though I'd prefer to see them in the flashier red, yellow, orange scheme... the one the F-units and early Geeps wore but I'll take the blue and hurricane logo. I rarely see six axle locomotives and its SD-40s leased or bought from UP with FEC painted over the UP mrkings.

I went to Florida in 2000 for the Nascar race in Homestead. My friend and I went all the way down to Key West. LOVED IT [8D] It was November and the weather was wonderful. It was a good trip and a good time. Didn't have time to railfan, maybe if I ever get there again I will. [:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by f14aplusfl

Come to Florida and check out the Florida East Coast Railway.... most of their fleet is 4axle locomotives and they are leading the FEC trains.... though I'd prefer to see them in the flashier red, yellow, orange scheme... the one the F-units and early Geeps wore but I'll take the blue and hurricane logo. I rarely see six axle locomotives and its SD-40s leased or bought from UP with FEC painted over the UP mrkings.

I went to Florida in 2000 for the Nascar race in Homestead. My friend and I went all the way down to Key West. LOVED IT [8D] It was November and the weather was wonderful. It was a good trip and a good time. Didn't have time to railfan, maybe if I ever get there again I will. [:)]

[Anonymous]

i think that 4 axle units are great . i remember when i was in tallahassee fl. i use to go to the SCL yard.. and see those GP-9's working that yard. those guys knew how to run those engines. and let me tell you they what they were doing.. i give respect too any engineer who is not afraid too handle his engines or train..

[Anonymous]

i think that 4 axle units are great . i remember when i was in tallahassee fl. i use to go to the SCL yard.. and see those GP-9's working that yard. those guys knew how to run those engines. and let me tell you they what they were doing.. i give respect too any engineer who is not afraid too handle his engines or train..

[Anonymous]

WAit i thought SD meant "Stupid Duty"

Ok, Jokes aside-

I'm very sure it means "Special duty"

[Anonymous]

WAit i thought SD meant "Stupid Duty"

Ok, Jokes aside-

I'm very sure it means "Special duty"