Let's have some fun

[Anonymous]

You are the purchaser of motive power on a regional railroad with a trunk line of about 1000 miles which has several 1% grades but no sharp curves. The railroad is in the high desert so keep thinking turbocharged. The road has several branches to mines which have 2% grades and again no sharp curves. All the rail is welded, heavy, with no weight restrictions. Traffic is minerals from the mines and bridge traffic which is mostly finished products, lumber, and grain. The owner has given you the following items to think about: No DASH 9's or AC power (too new), no SD70's (Too good), and no SD40-2's (worship one God, not two). Don't worry about quantity. What models of locomtives would you purchase?

[BRAKIE]

I would used the SD35 and SD40.(not the -2).For local freights and yard units I would use GP38s,GP38-2,GP40 or GP40-2s. I would not use a hodge podge roster of different brands of locomotives as I would want my parts inventory set up for one brand of locomotives for ease of maintaining them..The reason I would use EMDs is when I worked on the railroads their units had a high reliability and low maintenance record.I don't recall ever having a EMD unit to fail on the road like the other bell ringers that I have worked with....

[CShaveRR]

It sounds to me like this hypothetical railroad would be a good candidate for the SD40-2s that the Class Is are, or soon will be, retiring in large numbers. Make them an offer, put them through a rebuilding program, and go! I'm not sure what Brakie has against SD40-2s, but they seem to have been very reliable.
Yard power, probably GP38-2s or even SD38-2s if some heavy switching is required.

[CShaveRR]

I just reread the original. I'm not sure why SD40-2s were ruled out, but given the fact that they were, I'd have to suggest GP40-2s, since quantity isn't a problem. I'd definitely stick with the 645 engine yet, especially if you're going for yard power, too (simplicity of inventory). If -38s can't hack it due to the altitude, go with -39s.

[eolafan]

I'd suggest getting ahold of the folks at CN and negotiate the purchase of a good supply of their old Wisconsin Central power. You would need a slug (no pun intended) of SD45 and/or F45 units for road service and some GP38's for yard and local assignments (or perhaps a few of the GP30's still around). Wisconsin Central rebuilt these units in fine fashion and they are in super shape as WC maintained them very, very well. Not that a railroad manager would care, but you would also have the unending gratitude of the railfan community (more so if you purchased all of their remaining F45 units). Jim, Aurora, IL (yes, many of the above are undoubtedly ex-BN units).

[Anonymous]

for road power SD40 or SD45 maybe some second hand SD50 or SD60. switching would be anything from a GP7 to a GP40. maybe for light switching an old SW1500 or SW1000.

you could also probably go with a GE C40-8 or C30-7.

[Anonymous]

In terms of being able to roster some newer power,UP will probably give you a good deal on SD50s(although the reliability problems with the 50 series are well known),also NS is retiring much of their C39-8 fleet. As far as 60 series EMDs and 40-8s,the roads that have them seem to want to hang onto them,and they make good money for the lease fleets as well.

[favuprailroadfan]

Ok, here is what I would do. I would approuch the UP, and ask them about the SD40T-2. These motors are excellent at high altitudes, even if they don't have any tunnels. They are good workhorses, and if they have decent branches, why not look into the GP60's? Granted these are for high speed intermodal, but they load quickly, and shouldn't have to worry about sliping. Oh there is another unit that could work for this situation. Why not into the MK rebuilds that were done for the SP a few years back. These units have up to 140,000 of tractive effort. They have the 645, they have the Maxi-Trax computer controlled wheel slip system. These are very good units. For the yard, I would look into SW1500's or MP15DC or the AC version of that engine. Look into the GP40's if everything else fails. Just my thought on this.

Later, Dru

[Anonymous]

Sorry, no SD40-2's allowed, in any form. I did that because I figured everyone and their dog would want them. To me it is fun to look at what is left after you have been told what you cannot have. SD60's and GP40-2's would be my pick.

[wabash1]

on my railroad it would be b36-7 and gp 38 for locals and yard work. for the main line moves it would be ge b40-8 4000 hp 4 axel units also i put the gp 60 out there . 5 of these 4 axel engines mu together can make short time of any run. throtlle response is quick and the dynamic is good on the 2% grades and they would hold track speed very well.

[Anonymous]

Give me some ALCO'S and C30-7'S..........

[Anonymous]

well, as a smaller road, you are definately going to have to look into the used market, the problem with that is the restriction on no 40-2's of any sort. That leaves you with only a few reasonably priced options for road power..#1 would be C30-7's or Dash 8 40C's from GE. You need 6axle power for the mine runs and the big roads are starting to get rid of these things (thank goodness!!!). the #2 option would be SD-50's, again 6axle power and the big roads (UP in particular) are getting rid of 'em.
Now, if you could swing it, the ideal would be SD-60's, but they wouldn't be as cheap, although you might be able to work something out with Oakway Leasing.
For switching, GP-38's/39's, MP15's, SW1500's, GP-15's, would all do nicely, I'd stay away from the 4axle GE's because of the way they load, they aren't very good for switching.
The bad thing about this scenario is the restriction on the 40's, because the #1 choice in this setup would have to be the GE road units, with EMD switchers, leading to a much larger parts inventory than would be needed if you could go all EMD. The 50 is an ok unit, however they have had some reliability problems in the past (mostly worked out, but still there none the less). If you could afford it the best would be the 60's + MP15's.

[favuprailroadfan]

Would you even think about looking at the GP60's? What about B40-8's and not C40-8's. If you have the branch lines and if you need some decent power(if you call GE's decent) why not go with the B's? Just a thought.

Dru

[favuprailroadfan]

Thank you, I am glad to see someone else likes the idea of putting GP60's out there. I love the GP60's. I like them better than the SD60's> Sorry Derek, I don't know what it is about the GP60, but there is something I like about them.


Dru

[BRAKIE]

Carl,I have nothing against the SD40-2. As you found out Dan said no SD40-2s.He did not say anything about no SD40s.So I replyed,I would use SD40(not -2s) So Dan would understand what type of SD40 I was speaking of.Hey,The SD40,SD40-2s was one of the best EMD had to offer.(Almost as good as the GP7/9s heh,heh,)

[wabash1]

you say they 4 axel ge you stay away from couse the way they load they can and do load very good. not like the 6 axel junk. we use 4 axel power on mine runs here ( the ns ) like they use to.5 of the 4 axel units are 20 powered and 20 dynamic it works great. i did not say i wanted sw 1500 or mp 15 couse i have run these engines to and i rather have something that i can use. and something that i swap out if need be keeping cost down by keeping power the same across the board .

[wabash1]

you say they 4 axel ge you stay away from couse the way they load they can and do load very good. not like the 6 axel junk. we use 4 axel power on mine runs here ( the ns ) like they use to.5 of the 4 axel units are 20 powered and 20 dynamic it works great. i did not say i wanted sw 1500 or mp 15 couse i have run these engines to and i rather have something that i can use. and something that i swap out if need be keeping cost down by keeping power the same across the board .

[BRAKIE]

This is not to debate you,Remember this is for fun and just a old railroaders opinion.I would stick with all EMDS or perhaps all GEs.I would not have a hodge podge roster due to parts inventory.This would only make good economical sense to do this.What I am really seeing here is MODELERS choosing their favorite locomotives,not really thinking what would be best for the operation of the railroad and the bottom line of maintenace cost.Remember,you will need to give a account of your maintenace cost AND road failures of the locomotives.Every time a locomotive fails,questions are asked by your boss why this happen.Then YOU are in the HOT SEAT on why you choose those types of locomotives to begin with!

[favuprailroadfan]

Dear Larry, I am not a modeler. I am a true 100% big time railroad fan. I would like to model. But I have been around the real thing long enough to know which units are low maintance, and which ones are high. So does Derek, he is an actual engineer for the UP. He not only knows what he is talking about. Know I'm sure you know what you're talking about, don't get me wrong. But I think that the EMD's would be the best bet to go with. I'm not saying that EMD's don't fail,which they do. They are a machine and machines are not perfect. But if you maintain 75%EMD and 25%GE. That wouldn't be so bad. Because if you run through some good scenery, fans are going to want some variety. Not all the same units all the time. Granted if the consists are all the same, they will run better, but there has got to be some differances in what you run. I am only 23 yrs. old but I think I know my stuff. Derek can tell you. We have sat down and talked about this kind of stuff before. Well this is just my opinion. I am not writing this to start an aurgument or anything.

Later, Dru

[favuprailroadfan]

Derek, Do you have an e-mail address so we can write each other?

Mine is [e-mail]
Dru

[Anonymous]

How about ACE 3000 high tech computer controlled 4-8-2s? For the unit trains how about that 15,000hp 7 stage steam turbine electric design on the modern steam page? Then again,coal burning might be bad PR,so go with Railpower Products(builder of the GREEN GOAT) 5,500HP and 10,000HP Compressed Natural Gas turbine units and/or the 15KHP Modular Pebble Bed Nuclear Reactor Steam Turbine(also from the Ultimate Steam Page).
I was out until 2 AM this morning and I'm beginning to think I didn't get enough sleep,or maybe it's the paint fumes from my just repainted bathroom.....................

[BRAKIE]

Dru,I agree 100% with the EMDs.In my past railroading days,I spent to much time with the older bell rings of ALCO,FM and BLW waiting for a EMD to lug us to the terminal.I do not recall a old GP7 or 9 falling down on the job like the bell ringers did.EMD has always made a fairly good unit.I was on a mine run on the Chessie powered by a 35 and a U25b,the u boat broke down on us and the 35 got us home that morning.Luckly we had only 20-25 cars the best I can remember.I have always been a EMD man-always! Is there any other type? As far as the fans-well the railroads could care less what we would like to see.I know this sounds cold,but,it is true.
Best regards,Larry

[corwinda]

Hmmm ... Is the 2% grade on the mine branches going TO the mine or coming out FROM the mine? What kind (and how big) of mines? How long are the branches?

Probably SD 50s or C30-7s if the mine loads have to go up the 2%, all GP 40-2s if they don't.

[favuprailroadfan]

Where in the world did you come up with these ideas? I have heard of the Green Goat, but not all that other stuff. I don't know where you come up with them, either its true or you have one vivid imagination! But I do like the idea of the 4-8-2.

Later, Dru

[Anonymous]

Do a websearch on "Ultimate Steam Page" and "twenty first century steam". The nukes, coal turbines,and ACE3000 project are all discussed on those sites.The CNG turbines are detailed on the Railpower website.Probably never happen,but fascinating "what Ifs"(actually the Railpower project seems feasible).

[wabash1]

that is why i gave the second opinion on the 4 axel units as i remember that is what they put together before the sd 40 come along. my opinion is based on what i have run and what seems to work. 4 axel units would be better on the rail which is part of the overhead factor . fuel cost and parts soforth. in other words if you run half ge and half emds for road and yard service the cost is down as you dont haft to have parts for sw1500 mp15 . and if you need to swap power you have like units avalible.

[BRAKIE]

I understand.That is what I had in mind also.Ofcouse for a earlier era I would use GP7/9s,Sd7/9s,Sw7,SW1200. What do you think?

[Anonymous]

c40-8s and cw40-8s

[Anonymous]

Well, that was fun. I'm thinking that the Super 7 series equipment from GE or the MK rail rebuilds from MPI might be the ticket.

[Anonymous]

[:D]I would proably take some SD45 Hulks and modify them to be SD45M-2's(NOT SD40M-2).GP38M-2's for yard service.GP40M-2's for locals,U18B's for light mainline power.