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GE VS EMD

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  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: WSOR Northern Div.
  • 1,559 posts
Posted by WSOR 3801 on Sunday, April 10, 2011 11:22 PM

edbenton

Why is EMD favored one reason GE killed ALCO and GE almost killed EMD in the 80's yet they brought Computers into RR Locomotives The first single Prime Mover with 4000 HP in Series Production. 

ALCo killed itself with poor product, mostly the 244 prime mover.  GE supplied the electrical gear for ALCo since the beginning. 

GE got sick up and fed with the problems with their "partner", and then decided to get into the locomotive business for itself.  Early GEs didn't need to be as good as EMDs, they just needed to be better than ALCo, which they seemed to be.  GE also had more support to put behind the effort, being a much larger outfit.

 

Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com

  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: Central Texas
  • 365 posts
Posted by MJ4562 on Sunday, April 10, 2011 9:43 PM

EMD units look nicer? Plus, until recently they had an easier to follow naming convention.

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Back home on the Chi to KC racetrack
  • 2,011 posts
Posted by edbenton on Sunday, April 10, 2011 3:55 PM

Theere was the Same war in the OTR side Caterpiller and Cummins.  Trouble was neither one was the best in terms of MPG Reliablity or time between Overhauls.  For that you had to go to Rodger Penske and his little Gem called the Series 60 Detroit Diesel.  There are some of them with DDEIC their control software approaching 2 million miles without being Overhauled. I have yet to here of a Cat or Cummins tp make it that far without being torn down to be rebuilt. 

 

Why is EMD favored one reason GE killed ALCO and GE almost killed EMD in the 80's yet they brought Computyers into RR Locomotives The first single Prime Mover with 4000 HP in Series Production. 

Always at war with those that think OTR trucking is EASY.
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • 803 posts
Posted by GP40-2 on Sunday, April 10, 2011 1:42 PM

...and thanks for proving my point.Big Smile

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • From: Libertyville, IL
  • 372 posts
Posted by Mr. Railman on Sunday, April 10, 2011 7:17 AM

...and that's why Metra got rid of those wonderful F40Cs and are kicking themselves in the head right now for replacing them with those crummy MP36s

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • 803 posts
Posted by GP40-2 on Saturday, April 9, 2011 8:43 PM

How many of those railfans actually try and run a railroad and have to worry about things such as profit margin, tonnage ratings, locomotive uptime, and good service support?

Railroads don't care what railfans think, they use what works the best and makes the most money.

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • From: Libertyville, IL
  • 372 posts
GE VS EMD
Posted by Mr. Railman on Saturday, April 9, 2011 5:32 PM

Most Railfans I've met like EMD better than GE. Why is GE hated and EMD loved. 

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