.

[favuprailroadfan]

All you are doing is bashing EMD. Well its my turn to bash GE's. They are pieces of ****. Where was GE at when EMD was producing the SD40-2's and all other models. They were busy trying to make a go of it with their supposedly good Dash 7 models. Those are the junk engines. All GE engines are worthless. I am a EMD man, but granted GE does have the top spot. Yes the 90MAC may have been a screw up but I will tell you this. GE's AC6000 ain't much better. AC4400's are OK. IF you are saying put a AC4400 up against a SD70MAC, then do it. But answer me this. Why hasn't BNSF gone with the GE AC's and just the regular DC version, but they have gone with the EMD AC's. Ok, since you are such a big peice of junk fan. How would like to see a GP60 or SD60 go against your B40-8? I think the 60's would take the cake, and have enough time to drink a beer, and by the time they get done, your GE's wouldn't even be in sight.

On the emissions thing, I don't see very many EMD's smoking and belching, and wondering if it should go or not. GE's are the worst smoking loco's I have ever seen. EMD is compleying with Tier 2 emissions passed by the EPA. I haven't seen much on GE conserning this. They just figure, build it, if it smokes its not our problem. Granted GE doesn't require much time to build one. But EMD believes in quality, I would rather spend more money and wait a little bit longer knowing that I would be getting the BEST equipment that can be made by a builder.

GE won't be able to buy EMD anyways because of the government won't allow it. Have you ever heard of MONOPOLY? EMD will not sell to its competition.

LONG LIVE EMD,
LATERS, Dru

[Anonymous]

It's not really labor they are exploiting there, it's the exchange rate. If they didn't do that, they'd be out of business, as the allready more expensive and better designed SD70M would be twice as expensive if built in the USA, meaning that they'd be 4 times the cost of a GE- and bye bye EMD.

The company is not going anywhere nor is it going to close. It is merely being shopped around (again!) by GM because they really don't want to be involved in non-core markets. Someone will buy it, eventually, but it depends on how much GM wants- if it stays consistant with previous attmepts to sell, no one will bite because of the price.

[Anonymous]

I personally think that Bombardier-Alsthom might be the best hope for EMD. They have a major stake in the export and international market, where EMD is still the market leader. Bombardier has also been quite successful in competing in markets such as commercial aircraft,where it faces competition from much larger manufacturers. And before anyone brings it up,you can't really claim that Bombardier is at fault for the failure of MLW products,the railroads were already turning their backs on ALCO designs.I also think that the Canadian Government has a strong stake in finding a buyer for both GMLG/EMD and GM Defense(also Canadian based,makes the US Army's new light armored vehicles).
The next best hope is probably WABTEC/MPI, but keep in mind that Boise Locomotive's parent company is also a major component supplier to GE.
Caterpillar could be a wild card,they do make the engines for the GP15D and GP20D.

[Anonymous]

Well, without getting into politics, which would just stir-up more arguments, all I can say is this. With the benefit of hindsight, we should have seen this day coming, when EMD moved all production to Canada, THAT was the first sign of troubles within. As a railfan, I have always liked EMD's more than GE's. But as a "blue-collar" union man, I'm glad that the company that kept production in the U.S. has come out on top.
Not much more than a decade ago, NO U.S. built locomotives were purchased in Canada. Montreal built Alco's, and London built EMD's. Canada was willing to use our technology, but wasn't willing to allow our workers to construct the product.
Now, before someone accuses me of "Canada-Bashing"
That is not my intention here. In fact I have several friends who live "north-of-the-border".
So I hope none of our Canadian friends will take offense to this post. It is just my opinion of the way big corporations exploit labor.
Todd C.

[BRAKIE]

You can always tell a real railroader or even a former railroader by the way he talks and compares the different locomotives.

The best way to tell the difference is a pretend railroader and a arrogant railfan is both will have wisdom,but,will lack the common knowledge of railroading.Both will have much to say while not saying anything..Some have great words of wisdom only because it seems right to their way of thinking regardless of the facts.

[favuprailroadfan]

To whom it may concern,

I'm not quite for sure if EMD will sell to GE. I just can't see themselves selling out to there major competitor. There are too many people out there will not allow EMD to sell. EMD was here even before GE was a thought in someone's mind. If EMD sells, How bad will it hurt GE? Some railroads don't like GE. Most of them gives business to both. I would say, "**** on GE, give me EMD's or nothing at all." I would take good ol SD7's and GP7's over anything GE has ever put out. So I don't want to see EMD sell, even though it might not consider it its core business. So just don't let GE take them by the nuts and let the monopoly happen.

Just speaking what's on my mind,
Dru

[wabash1]

well i do work for the railroad and i have run just about all the ge junk there is. when things was booming the railroads bought what was out there and at the cost of 2ge for the price of 1 emd thats what we ended up with the ge junk we have is falling apart after a few years and like the engine i had yesterday it wouldnt run. always lossing its load and as you might geuse rattled all the time. most ge engines wont last over 10 years when you have emd units lasting 25 years or more. fuel cost ge will beat a emd on fuel...only becouse if you cant get them to run they cant burn fuel... the just of the matter is .. the cost of buying them is what fueled the rash of dash 9 junk. and now the railroads probley wi***hey waited for something better.

[Anonymous]

Only to those in the market for a box of s$#t.

[Anonymous]

So, what you're saying is that the RR's going with GE is much like the theory that you could sell a box of fecal matter to customers, if the price is right?

[Chris30]

Questions for Valleyline... I just read your opinion of a GE product. What is your assessment of EMD motors in general? Specifically the EMD SD70's? Have you had a chance to run these engines yet? I have heard nothing but good things from UP crews about the 70's. The comment that I hear the most is that they are a newer, bigger, & better version of the SD40.

[Anonymous]

GE a reliable product? Have to laugh about that.BNSF 4550 a C44-9 a few yrs old,which I had on the point yesterday is already falling apart.Dropped its load numerous times,the inside cab trim and panels which are held in place with VELCRO! are already falling apart.The engine vibrated so much and made so much noise I had to wear ear-plugs.This isn't the exception more the norm for a GE product.Most of the Dash-9's aren't putting out their full load potential,are sluggish,and vibrate so much that in a decade from now they'll be rolling piles of junk.The only reason the RR's buy them is for the fuel savings and lease agreements, not because they are a better product!

[Valleyline]

EMD has been slipping behind GE for a number of years. GE delivers a reliable product that is less expensive to buy, operate, and maintain. The increased price of fuel has certainly not helped EMD in competing with GE. Wherever EMD goes, deep pockets will be required to redesign and build a comptitive product. The big question is, will the market be large enough to support such an investment? Let's all hope that it will be.

[eolafan]

No matter what happens, in the minds of anybody who has ever seen an F, an E, a F45 or SD45, etc, etc., etc., etc., there will always be an EMD...Long live LaGrange (in our minds anyway)!

[Anonymous]

Likely I am the minority, but I will not be sad to see EMD go. EMD/GM has used too many questionable business tactics and has been too heavy handed over the years. Look up the Justice Department's investigation into GM in the 1960's, a number of EMD violation of accepted business practices were cited along with the many cited in the automobile business. Also look at the Baldwin repair parts business in the 1980's. EMD supplied Baldwin repair parts at a loss to force the remnant of Baldwin supplying parts out of business. Then wtih Baldwin out of the way, EMD stopped supplying renewal parts for Baldwins also. Ethical business practice? I think not. Just another way to try to force the railroads to purchase locomotives that they might not otherwise purchase.

[Anonymous]

I don't know about any deep pockets, but someone will buy EMD, or GM will keep running it. It isn't going to go away because despite the GE units successes, RRs don't want to be beholden to one monopoly. Don't be surprised if it ends up in the hands of Siemens. After all, a considerable ammount of their tech goes into those SD70MACs.

Also don't be surprised at any of the following:
Dennis Washington's ex MK Company
Boise Locomotive Works
Bombidier
Daimler-Chrysler
Catepiller

Remember the engines they produce are worth more than loco use. So don't rule out Grumman, who own Gen Dynamics and their Navy shipbuilding assets.

GM is not dumping EMD because it has no profit potential, it's dumping it because it's not their core business.

[sooblue]

GM is going to divest
some one will buy emd

[Anonymous]

Lets hope that someone with deep pockets buys EMD. With a half a dozen railroads eventually being reduced to two or three, and one builder, the rail scene will be pretty boring. Most of the variety has been taken out of railroading already, it will be sad if EMD goes the way of Alco and FM.

[Anonymous]

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