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What locomotive would you run?

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Posted by FranklinC55 on Thursday, January 29, 2009 5:01 PM

Two SW1's or SW1200's mu'd together nose to nose

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Posted by favuprailroadfan on Thursday, January 29, 2009 5:23 PM

 The only 2 GP26's ever built. That is what I would run rather than anything. But the 5 GP 30's we have are good.

 

                                                               Dru Cimarron Valley Railroad-Engineer

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Posted by railroad imaginator on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 2:59 PM

If a miricle happened, a Big BoySmile, but realistically, an amtrak F40

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Thursday, February 12, 2009 7:36 PM

For this little one any 2-8-8-4 for steam, any ALCO for diesel, and a GG1 for the Elecs. For sheer speed I'd go for that TGV that did 574kmh recently.BowWhistling

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Posted by favuprailroadfan on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 5:02 PM

 I run Gp30's everyday and the only 2 GP26's

              Dru

 

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Posted by bubbajustin on Thursday, February 26, 2009 4:18 PM

I don't know if I have already responded to this but I would also like to run the SD40-2. Seeings how their on there on thier way out.

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Posted by Andrew Falconer on Thursday, February 26, 2009 11:58 PM

I would like to run a Soo Line GP30.

Andrew

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Posted by VGN Jess on Monday, March 2, 2009 9:02 PM

 A Virginian 2-8-4 or a Virginian H24-66.

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Posted by blade on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 6:40 PM
es4400cw
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Posted by bubbajustin on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 4:05 PM

blade
es4400cw

 

Corect me if I'm wrong but it's called a AC4400CW isn't it? We know what youre talking about. The ES44AC is sutch a close name to the AC4400CW isn't it?

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Posted by Lord Atmo on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 5:57 PM

I have several actually.

1. A DD35A in CNW's phase 3 zito yellow (ZYc) scheme. Or a DDA40X with a spartan cab and all of the aforementioned paint.

2. A CNW SD60 with SD50 electronics (Faulty microprocessors led to the tragic downfall of the SD60s) thus it would run as nicely as an SD40-2

3. A custom SD45X in CNW ZYc paint built to CNW specifications (Sans the nose gong which doesnt look good on the longer units)

Your friendly neighborhood CNW fan.

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Posted by Randy Stahl on Saturday, March 7, 2009 5:54 AM

Lord Atmo

I have several actually.

2. A CNW SD60 with SD50 electronics (Faulty microprocessors led to the tragic downfall of the SD60s) thus it would run as nicely as an SD40-2

Other way around, SD50/GP50's are junk. SD50 electronics are a nightmare. I prefer SD60s with mod 1's any day

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Posted by Railway Man on Saturday, March 7, 2009 12:34 PM

SD40-2 with an air conditioner.

 

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Posted by challenger3980 on Saturday, March 7, 2009 2:58 PM

Railway Man

SD40-2 with an air conditioner.

 

RWM,

   Out of curiosity, why the SD40-2 ( I can understand the air conditioner partSmile,Wink, & Grin) is it Nostalgia, as they are in their last years of service? Or is there some other reason that you would prefer them over a more modern locomotive, esp one with a Wide/Safety/Comfort Cab?

Doug

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Posted by Railway Man on Saturday, March 7, 2009 3:13 PM

Not nostalgia.  In fact, it seems strange to be living longer than the Dash 2s, which were new when I started my career.  So were C30-7s -- now where did all those disappear to! 

Actually any six-motor Dash-2 will do -- SD45-2, SD40T-2, SD45T-2.  They all feel and run the same.   An SD will just float through bad track whereas the big GEs sort of crash through it; you wonder if they're about to derail.

It's just personal preference. 

  1. I like the sound of the old-style non-quieted DB fans (otherwise an SD60 is just as good).
  2. GPs bounce too much
  3. GEs load too slow
  4. The old AAR cab has better visibility and better "feel"
  5. The old AAR cabs don't have tinted glass -- I like true colors of the outdoors
  6. I find the desktop cabs very uncomfortable and unnatural
  7. F units are nice too.
RWM
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Posted by challenger3980 on Saturday, March 7, 2009 3:28 PM

Thanks RWM,

  I have read numerous posts about working rails prefering wide cabs to spartan cabs for numerous reasons, and was a little surprized that you picked the SD40-2(though I would enjoy that opportunity myselfSmile,Wink, & Grin)

  Speaking of F-Units, do You know of any place that offers an F-Unit in a rental program? I have run the NNRY's 4-6-0 #40, their SD9 #204, the SVRY 2-8-2 #19, a Privately owned H.K. Porter 0-4-0T, and more than 25 years ago a GP38-2, that I will avoid giving specifics on, though that engineer retired shortly after, and may not even still be alive (things were much different back then) An F-Unit is very high on my list, along with the SVRY's Heisler #3 and the NNRY's 2-8-0 #93 and their Alco RS's, in the future.

  Thanks again, Doug

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Posted by Railway Man on Saturday, March 7, 2009 4:12 PM

 I never paid union dues in TY&E service, only into other crafts and then went exempt.  If I had spent my career with my behind in a cab seat, I might have a different answer.

I think the Feather River Rail Society in Portola, Calif., offers hands-on in an F7

RWM

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Posted by challenger3980 on Saturday, March 7, 2009 4:23 PM

Thank You AGAIN RWM,

   You are a wealth of knowledge, when it comes to rail related topics, I can't recall many (any) questions that you haven't had the answer too, usually more info than the poster asked forThumbs Up.

  I will have to check into the FRRS in Portola. Hopefully the economy will a least show some improvement, I have done Engineer For a Day (EFD) programs each year for the last couple years, and hoped to continue, but this year isn't looking to good right now, but there is next year and the year after that, and after that and...Smile,Wink, & Grin.

Doug

May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails

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Posted by markpierce on Saturday, March 7, 2009 4:30 PM

former Westside Heisler #3...I have fond memories climbing on it in 1960 when parked adjacent to the mill in Tuolumne.  Too bad Roaring Camp has had difficulties keeping it in running in recent years.  Also, any Mallet (compound steam) articulated would be a blast.  Are there any still running?

Mark

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Posted by challenger3980 on Saturday, March 7, 2009 4:44 PM

 While the 3985 would literally be a "DREAM COME TRUE"  it and the UP 844 and the SP 4449, still are in service, they are about as likely as it is for Bill and Melinda Gates are to call and tell me I am a long lost Nephew.

  8 Big boys still exist, but the chances of one running again are pretty slim.

 

And for one of the Beauties to happen again would take new construction way beyond what the Brits managed with their NEW Tornado Pacific. Hey "Uncle Bill, Auntie Melinda"?

 But any of the above would be beyond description if it were to happen. Guess I will have to be content running 1:48 scale models of them.

Doug

May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails

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Posted by cnw8052 on Thursday, March 12, 2009 12:25 AM

 EMD SD40-2 in it's prime......there isn't anything better.

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 13, 2009 8:32 PM

Does it have to be real?

 If not, I would pick the ACE 3000.

 If it does, I'll have to think about it.

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Posted by sarahd on Friday, March 20, 2009 8:20 PM

ATSF U30CG + U28CG ON THE POINT OF THE SUPER-C THROTTLE WIDE OPEN;SEEN THESE BABIES WHEN I WAS A YOUNGSTER,WHAT AN AWESOME MEMORY,DOIN 75 IN THE DESERT. TRULY WAS SANTA FE ALL THE WAY!!!!

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Posted by K.C.Jones on Saturday, March 21, 2009 10:06 PM

I'm not picky. I would run anything, new or old, steam or diesel, I like them all. Now for the short list.

NKP 587 ( a USRA 2-8-2 )

N&W J class ( Beauty, power and speed all in one package )

NKP S class Berkshire

SD70MAC ( in earthquake mode )

Any early U-boat

Erie Triplex

A four unit set of FTs

Brian If rails do not go there, then what is the point?
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Posted by BigJim on Monday, March 23, 2009 12:01 PM

Out of curiosity, why the SD40-2


Because they were the best darn diesel locomotive ever made!

.

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Posted by Randy Stahl on Monday, March 23, 2009 6:45 PM

BigJim

Out of curiosity, why the SD40-2


Because they were the best darn diesel locomotive ever made!

I'll second that !

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Posted by 90MAC-H on Monday, March 23, 2009 10:23 PM

I have operated Union Pacific AC4400CW's and SD9043MAC's as well as BNSF SD70MAC's, and I would have to say my favorite was the AC4400CW.  The throttle response and pulling power were unmatched.  However I would jump at the chance to operate a 4-8-2 Mountain, specifically Frisco 1522.

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Posted by Penncentral on Friday, March 27, 2009 12:29 AM

A UP turbine across wyoming and into utah.

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Posted by BT CPSO 266 on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 6:27 PM

The EMD SD40-2

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Posted by JCRQ on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 10:12 PM
a CN Dash 8-40CM.

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