2 tunnel motors up in front, plus 3 SDs and a big train, plus a tough grade (I think all of these are former US converted to metre gauge), and a big stall. To much load ? No problem! Send two more units (GEs,I think they're U25s, really old) and 'barking at heavens' gets a new meaning (a and lotta smoke in the air, whew !)
watch?v=KrKX6EgBXVg
The GE's that came to the rescue, seemed like toys, on the basis of their size, in comparison to the EMD's.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Pretty cool. The pair of little GE's are model U20C, an export model built starting in 1964.
Bryan Jones
Bryan Jones Pretty cool. The pair of little GE's are model U20C, an export model built starting in 1964. Bryan Jones
I wasn't shure these were U25s. Later I realised my mistake. U20C's indeed
BaltACD The GE's that came to the rescue, seemed like toys, on the basis of their size, in comparison to the EMD's.
Yep, the 2 U20s really look like from another 'scale'. Really, big SD's and GEs on metre gauge look gigantic (these ones kept their 3 axle trucks because ALL (the railroad picture) allows a maximum axleload of 29 metric tons). When one looks at the tiny rails 'camouflaged' in the grass, one cannot stop thinking about their 'poor' health. This company is not famous for keeping its tracks in good condition and recently there was a serious accident near São Paulo. Ditto for motive power (all the engines smoke to much, that's a very strong signal of poor amintenance). Also recently, due to poor maintenance & service standards ALL lost its argentinian concession.
About all these SDs and GEs, I had a roster somewhere in one of my 'digital cemeteries'. Most came from US and Mexico. In one of my several business trips to Brasil, I remember seeing locomotives with D&RGW, UP. BN, BNSF & NdeM in a backshop.
Thanks for sharing. That is quite the spectacle. How much HP did each U20C add to the train?
Lone Geep
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lone geep How much HP did each U20C add to the train?
2000.
U20C means Universal Series, 2000 horsepower, C-C trucks.
Those U20Cs sure do pack a punch for their size!
Here's a link showing some tech data from Brazil's U20s. The unit displayed appears in RFFSAs coulours, the former state railways, liquidated sine years ago, and the original owner of all off these units, that later went to the private companies that now exist (ALL, MRS ...)
http://vfco.brazilia.jor.br/locomotivas/Fepasa/25-locomotiva-U20C-1m00-3801-desenho.shtml
Some more info about this small 'U-Boat'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_U20C
The ~4000 HP wasn't what was needed, it was the 115,00+ lbs starting tractive effort of the two units that got the train moving.
Dave Phelps
Thank you for the unusual video from S-A!
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