Trains.com

SD70ACe-T4 - does EMD actually have a T4 locomotive?

37471 views
133 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by M636C on Thursday, October 22, 2015 7:06 PM
CPM500 wrote the following post 9 hours ago:

FYI:

The T4 is a 'clean sheet of paper' design. Underframe is all new, as is the control system, starting system...and a long list of other items.

There are a number of locos being constructed for a formal test program. Additionally, there is a second group being built as 'demonstrators.'

Caterpillar was the design lead on the 1010 engine. The first GEVO engine design  was created utilizing the services of an outside consultant.

CPM500

While Caterpillar may have had the design lead, it is clear that the basic 1010 engine was developed from the EMD 265 and not any Caterpillar engine. As I've said, it shares features with the C175 which was iself a fairly radical development of the 3500 series. While the engine may be a Caterpillar developed from an older EMD design, its designation is purely EMD, presumably to reassure customers. The designation in the Caterpillar series would be C265....

Presumably the outside consultant on the first GEVO was anybody except Deutz. It seemed to adopt a few FDL features with the redesign of the crankcase, but that might be my imagination... The engine was effectively little more than a strengthened HDL (although the GEVO-16 sounded quite different to the HDL-16....)

The current GEVO is still based on the early GEVO, but has a new crankshaft with larger main bearings making the whole crankcase longer with increased spacing between the cylinder bores. I'd be surprised if much was interchangeable between the GEVO models, maybe the pistons themselves and the connecting rods....

I'd expect the earlier locomotives to be test units and the later ones to be demonstrators, but once they are working as desired, they could all be demonstrators.

M636C

  • Member since
    October 2014
  • 1,644 posts
Posted by Wizlish on Thursday, October 22, 2015 4:50 PM

CPM500
Question 1: Caterpillar Large Engine Group.

Is that the same thing as Tana Utley's "Large Power Systems (& Growth Markets)"?  I can't find any references for a 'Large Engine Group' (and I thought the 'Large Engine Center' was the facility in Lafayette).

 

  • Member since
    October 2011
  • 165 posts
Posted by CPM500 on Thursday, October 22, 2015 3:56 PM

Question 1: Caterpillar Large Engine Group.EMD staffing has been lean since the days of private equity ownership.

 

Question 2: The GEVO engine that debuted in 2005.

 

CPM500

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 1,879 posts
Posted by YoHo1975 on Thursday, October 22, 2015 1:02 PM

When you say Caterpillar, are you using that as an umbrella term for all the owned subs? Or do you literally mean Caterpillar R&D as opposed to EMD R&D? Because all indications to now were that EMD R&D lead.

 

And on the GEVO. When you say first GEVO engine design, are you referring to the HDL on which the GEVO is based which was designed by Duetz, or do you mean that the redesign used an outside consultant?

  • Member since
    October 2011
  • 165 posts
Posted by CPM500 on Thursday, October 22, 2015 8:56 AM

FYI:

The T4 is a 'clean sheet of paper' design. Underframe is all new, as is the control system, starting system...and a long list of other items.

There are a number of locos being constructed for a formal test program. Additionally, there is a second group being built as 'demonstrators.'

Caterpillar was the design lead on the 1010 engine. The first GEVO engine design  was created utilizing the services of an outside consultant.

CPM500

 

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by M636C on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 7:16 PM
longhorn1969 wrote the following post 8 hours ago:

Why would the rake window return? Why did the tear drop window go away in the first place?

EMD really needs a shot in the arm, maybe UP will order errrrr.........lease 2,000 of these like they did the SD70Ms.

EMD say the teardrop window returned for improved visibility. It went away as a cost saving measure on the SD90MACII and SD70ACe (It may have been the same size as GE front cab windows allowing a single size to be held in stock). While the later cab was different, it wasn't much liked by anybody. Raking the cab windows increased space in the cab for equipment forward of the crew. The New cab is very similar to the final SD70MAC cab with the raised central door. Possibly something that was a familiar EMD feature was thought to be reassuring on a loco with major changes like the SD70ACe-T4.

M636C

  • Member since
    October 2015
  • 103 posts
Posted by longhorn1969 on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 10:46 AM

Why would the rake window return? Why did the tear drop window go away in the first place?

EMD really needs a shot in the arm, maybe UP will order errrrr.........lease 2,000 of these like they did the SD70Ms.

 

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by M636C on Sunday, October 18, 2015 5:46 AM

Wizlish

M636 may be too modest to mention it, but some of the discussion of crossflow heads on locomotive prime movers can be found here, to start.

 
I have been known to find my own work when googling an obscure topic.
 
There have been two printings of the Locomotive book with minor updates in the second and a complete second edition this year with updated photos and new entries for recent units including genset units. I believe there is a e-book option.
 
I always thought that since the EMD two strokes were uniflow engines, that EMD would favour a cross flow head on a four stroke simply because they were used to gases going one way...
 
M636C
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Sterling Heights, Michigan
  • 1,691 posts
Posted by SD60MAC9500 on Saturday, October 17, 2015 10:45 AM

YoHo1975

 

 
SD60MAC9500

 

 
NorthWest

 

 
SD60MAC9500
Looks as if EMD rushed their tier 4 unit. GE will still be the leader as it's unit requires no exhaust aftertreament. EMD's unit does have a diesel particulate filter. The three turbochargers, compared to GE's twin turbo setup, will see how that turns out in the overall maintenance of the unit. EMD's unit will require somewhat higher maintenance cost, and a slight fuel loss compared to GE's unit.

 

This is not the final product, which EMD apparently expects to have on the road in the third quarter of 2016. The locomotive is a testbed similar to the GE blue units (I am blanking on their designation now) and will undoubtably see many changes during the year or so these are in road testing. The final product may be very different.

 

 

 

There may be some incremental changes, but you're pretty much looking at the final product.

 

 

 

Uh, why would you believe this?

 

It's the first prototype unit just like GE's prototype units were prototypes.

The idea that this is final product makes zero sense based on the literature put out and history.

 

 

I never said this was the final product. I stated you're pretty much looking at the final product. Pretty much, which means approximate or close too. 

Rahhhhhhhhh!!!!
  • Member since
    October 2014
  • 1,644 posts
Posted by Wizlish on Saturday, October 17, 2015 6:56 AM

M636 may be too modest to mention it, but some of the discussion of crossflow heads on locomotive prime movers can be found here, to start.

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by M636C on Saturday, October 17, 2015 4:22 AM

carnej1
 
M636C

 

EMD at least designed the 265 (and the 1010) themselves and it has still a number of FDL features not in the GEVO.

M636C

 

 

 

I'm confused?

What features does the 1010 engine share with the GE FDL (other than being a 4 cycle medium speed engine)?

 Also as far as EMD designing the 265 and 1010 themselves are you referring to GE's partnership with Deutz? That partnership was dissolved before the GEVO was introduced.

 Many would argue that Cat/Progress/EMD is a diffferent entity than GM/EMD. Cat seems to have had a lot of input in the 1010 design process. You can refer to earlier posts in the thread where the point was made that the 1010 draws on Cat C280 series engine technology as well as the design of the 265H......

 
The 1010 has crossflow heads and power assemblies attached in the same manner as the FDL.
 
Crossflow heads went away with the Deutz HDL and haven't reappeared in any GEVO yet. The GEVO shares a lot more than the same bore and stroke with the HDL, and the earlier GEVOs were little more than stronger HDLs. The latest 'GEVO' is a complete redesign and very little will be common except maybe the pistons.
 
I don't see any similarity between the 1010 and the C280, which is little more than a 3600 with a new name. The C175 does have cross flow heads and is the first CAT engine to do so, and looks quite a lot like a smaller 1010.
 
M636C 
  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 1,879 posts
Posted by YoHo1975 on Saturday, October 17, 2015 1:00 AM
Uh, I live 5 blocks from the Roseville station and I never see 9900 around the shops. In fact, I thought they moved her down to Colton. In fact, none of the 59mx units seem to be regulars in the shop.

I know from talking to friends that work at the shops that 9900 is finicky, but I can't say as I've seen her in the shops too often.
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,264 posts
Posted by CAZEPHYR on Friday, October 16, 2015 3:20 PM

 

 

I have watched the 9900 since it started running out of Roseville when it was newly rebuilt.  It ended up around the shop much of the time so the results might be OK but it seems to require a lot of maintenance. 

It normally runs to Redding and return or to the Bay area and returns.  The Union Pacific has not release any data to the general public as far as I am aware and it is still in a test mode.  I got to attend the so called coming out display for the unit at Roseville and each cylinder has two canisters to filter the exhaust.  Those probably need cleaning or replacing fairly often.  Just my thoughts watching from the sidelines.

  

 

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,264 posts
Posted by CAZEPHYR on Friday, October 16, 2015 3:08 PM
Yes and No on the question does EMD have a T4 unit. They have one but it is not for sale yet.
  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 1,879 posts
Posted by YoHo1975 on Friday, October 16, 2015 2:15 PM

erikem

 

 
Wizlish

 I still find it amazing that no one seems to be commenting on  how close everyone (specifically including Progress/EMD) came to meeting Tier 4 Final NOx standards without SCR-urea ... no more than 1 or 2 tenths of a percent!  Why there was no organized lobbying or effort to emend what Istrongly suspect were politically-chosen target numbers, I can't say -- an analogy was the imposition of 55 mph as a 'national speed limit' when trucks were proven to be more efficient at around 62.5 mph ... the very logical thing at the time being to implement a nice round "100 kph" number (yes, I know it ought to be km/h) and kill two birds with one stone. 

 

 

It does bring up a question of whether anyone in the appropriate regulatory agencies thought about the tradeoffs involved with emissions reductions rather than just assuming that locomotive sales would not be affected by the price increase and increased operating cost associated with Tier 4. I suspect a Tier 3.5 would have resulted in lower emissions overall as there would be less of a disincentive to buy new locomotives to replace old Tier 0 units.

I did have a bit of an awakening with respect to NOx regulations. The water heater sprung a major leak a few weeks back, did a bit of on-line research into water heaters and saw a note about not being in an area that required ultra-low NOx water heaters. Just hope the ultra-low NOx technology doesn't result in what happened with low NOx burners on furnaces. There were a number of house fires attributed to the NOx control design, though don't remember any reports of fatalities.

 - Erik

 

 

If by Tier 3.5 you mean the emissions achieved by UP 9900, the SD59MX with the full after treatment, I'm not sure, given how finicky I'm told it is, that it would be a bonanza. 

 

I do have to wonder, and I've pondered before. I've been told in other threads that EMD got close with 710 and that on the other hand, the trials and tribulations with GM, then independence, the Cat really undermined R&D's focus.

If we could go back in time and give R&D stability, and maybe some slightly relaxed standards, where could the 710 have gone...or, if they had iterated to a new 2 cycle design.

An academic question obviously, but a curious one. If they got so close on a decades old design in a horrible work environment...

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 1,879 posts
Posted by YoHo1975 on Friday, October 16, 2015 2:09 PM

SD60MAC9500

 

 
NorthWest

 

 
SD60MAC9500
Looks as if EMD rushed their tier 4 unit. GE will still be the leader as it's unit requires no exhaust aftertreament. EMD's unit does have a diesel particulate filter. The three turbochargers, compared to GE's twin turbo setup, will see how that turns out in the overall maintenance of the unit. EMD's unit will require somewhat higher maintenance cost, and a slight fuel loss compared to GE's unit.

 

This is not the final product, which EMD apparently expects to have on the road in the third quarter of 2016. The locomotive is a testbed similar to the GE blue units (I am blanking on their designation now) and will undoubtably see many changes during the year or so these are in road testing. The final product may be very different.

 

 

 

There may be some incremental changes, but you're pretty much looking at the final product.

 

Uh, why would you believe this?

 

It's the first prototype unit just like GE's prototype units were prototypes.

The idea that this is final product makes zero sense based on the literature put out and history.

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Rhode Island
  • 2,289 posts
Posted by carnej1 on Friday, October 16, 2015 11:18 AM

M636C

 

EMD at least designed the 265 (and the 1010) themselves and it has still a number of FDL features not in the GEVO.

M636C

 

I'm confused?

What features does the 1010 engine share with the GE FDL (other than being a 4 cycle medium speed engine)?

 Also as far as EMD designing the 265 and 1010 themselves are you referring to GE's partnership with Deutz? That partnership was dissolved before the GEVO was introduced.

 Many would argue that Cat/Progress/EMD is a diffferent entity than GM/EMD. Cat seems to have had a lot of input in the 1010 design process. You can refer to earlier posts in the thread where the point was made that the 1010 draws on Cat C280 series engine technology as well as the design of the 265H......

"I Often Dream of Trains"-From the Album of the Same Name by Robyn Hitchcock

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by M636C on Thursday, October 15, 2015 11:28 PM

Having read through the details on the GE website, it seems that while GE superficially appear to be making fewer changes to their Tier 4 locomotive compared to EMD, who have an engine with a new designation, the changes to the GE are pretty dramatic...

New engine crankcase, 8" longer and 7000 lb heavier. New crankshaft with larger bearings. New Power Assemblies with relocated injectors. New two stage turbochargers.

If that was an Alco it would have a new designation. Nearly as many changes as from a 244 to a 251....

Of course there are substantial changes from the 265 to the 1010, maybe more than in the GE engine, but EMD admit they are making a major change, since their previous engine was the 710G.

This is the second set of major changes that GE have made to the engine since it was called the HDL. I wondered if the GEVO was less susceptible to fatigue cracking in the crankcase compared to the FDL. If the Tier 4 GEVO is substantially heavier and bigger, I guess the answer to the question for the previous GEVO engine version was "no, not less susceptible".

I wonder if EMD have addressed this problem in the 1010. The 265s in the USA didn't run long enough to give fatigue problems in the crankcase...

EMD at least designed the 265 (and the 1010) themselves and it has still a number of FDL features not in the GEVO.

M636C

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 2,505 posts
Posted by caldreamer on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 9:39 PM

EMD had said that the first production models will not be out until the fourth quarter of 2016.  Just like GE, they will be sending the demonstrators on the road to test for tier 4 compliance and pulling ability on all types of trains in all possible terrain conditions.  GE's tier 4 units had some early teething problems which they worked out.  I expect the same may be true for the EMD units once they start pulling trains.  U expect to see them on the road by years end.

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by M636C on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 8:54 PM
Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 5:56 PM
 
 

 

Poor EMD guy couldn't speak into the microphone consistently.

Yes they are behind GE - GE's production locomotives are currently being delivered to the carriers and are actively pulling tonnage.  EMD is still in the testing stage.

I' d say they were at the demonstration stage rather than testing. Showing 1501 would be an invitation for roads to ask for a few locomotives to try, and maybe reserve some production places for 2017. The same as GE were when the blue units appeared. They are still testing. but it will be testing on the road, which GE are still doing. Realistically they are a year or so behind GE in getting locomotives for sale.

But there is a lot of new design in both units and either could be more successful technically, we just need to wait and see. GE have redesigned their EVO engine again and EMD have an in house design engine with a lot of Caterpillar input.

I notice that the cab appeared first on the demonstrator eight axle units in Brazil, as illustrated in a couple of issues of Trains recently.

I think Swenson was one of the EMD engineers I met on the first road trials of the Australian GT46C-ACe some years ago in Victoria.

M636C

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • 1,009 posts
Posted by GDRMCo on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 7:20 PM
EMD guy is an engineer not a salesperson or PR rep.

ML

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 5:56 PM

BILLY HUNTER

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUsg2s0vcAA

BOB WITHORN

September 2015 issue of Railway Age on page 36 is a Progress Rail Services advertizement for an SD70ACe-T4 locomotive featuring an EMD 12 cylinder 1010 engine, AC traction, etc, etc.  What gives? Guess I've been in a fog or something, thought they were way behind GE?

Poor EMD guy couldn't speak into the microphone consistantly.

Yes they are behind GE - GE's production locomotives are currently being delivered to the carriers and are actively pulling tonnage.  EMD is still in the testing stage.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • 3 posts
Posted by BILLY HUNTER on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 2:14 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUsg2s0vcAA

BOB WITHORN

September 2015 issue of Railway Age on page 36 is a Progress Rail Services advertizement for an SD70ACe-T4 locomotive featuring an EMD 12 cylinder 1010 engine, AC traction, etc, etc.  What gives? Guess I've been in a fog or something, thought they were way behind GE?

 

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Sterling Heights, Michigan
  • 1,691 posts
Posted by SD60MAC9500 on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 10:09 PM

NorthWest

EMD may find a way to eliminate DPF as well if road testing proves it is possible. We shall see what happens.

Walk through article:

http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/trade-shows/take-a-tour-of-emds-sd70ace-t4.html?channel=492&Itemid=502

 

 

I hope they do...even if they don't. It's a small penalty if they can't find a solution to eliminate the DPF. GE will always have that slight edge requiring no aftertreatment at all. EMD needs a renaissance. Whether this happens under Progress Rail remains to be seen. I noticed Wizlish in the earlier post commented about crankcase emissions, and what he said's true. Majority of particulate develops in the crankcase. Perhaps GE took notice of this, and developed a way to "pyrolyze" the PM. Hence, with the additon of other internal improvments requiring no DPF.

Rahhhhhhhhh!!!!
  • Member since
    May 2013
  • 3,231 posts
Posted by NorthWest on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 5:37 PM

EMD may find a way to eliminate DPF as well if road testing proves it is possible. We shall see what happens.

Walk through article:

http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/trade-shows/take-a-tour-of-emds-sd70ace-t4.html?channel=492&Itemid=502

 

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Sterling Heights, Michigan
  • 1,691 posts
Posted by SD60MAC9500 on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 11:36 AM

NorthWest

 

 
SD60MAC9500
Looks as if EMD rushed their tier 4 unit. GE will still be the leader as it's unit requires no exhaust aftertreament. EMD's unit does have a diesel particulate filter. The three turbochargers, compared to GE's twin turbo setup, will see how that turns out in the overall maintenance of the unit. EMD's unit will require somewhat higher maintenance cost, and a slight fuel loss compared to GE's unit.

 

This is not the final product, which EMD apparently expects to have on the road in the third quarter of 2016. The locomotive is a testbed similar to the GE blue units (I am blanking on their designation now) and will undoubtably see many changes during the year or so these are in road testing. The final product may be very different.

 

There may be some incremental changes, but you're pretty much looking at the final product.

Rahhhhhhhhh!!!!
  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Cardiff, CA
  • 2,930 posts
Posted by erikem on Monday, October 12, 2015 10:59 PM

Wizlish

 I still find it amazing that no one seems to be commenting on  how close everyone (specifically including Progress/EMD) came to meeting Tier 4 Final NOx standards without SCR-urea ... no more than 1 or 2 tenths of a percent!  Why there was no organized lobbying or effort to emend what Istrongly suspect were politically-chosen target numbers, I can't say -- an analogy was the imposition of 55 mph as a 'national speed limit' when trucks were proven to be more efficient at around 62.5 mph ... the very logical thing at the time being to implement a nice round "100 kph" number (yes, I know it ought to be km/h) and kill two birds with one stone. 

It does bring up a question of whether anyone in the appropriate regulatory agencies thought about the tradeoffs involved with emissions reductions rather than just assuming that locomotive sales would not be affected by the price increase and increased operating cost associated with Tier 4. I suspect a Tier 3.5 would have resulted in lower emissions overall as there would be less of a disincentive to buy new locomotives to replace old Tier 0 units.

I did have a bit of an awakening with respect to NOx regulations. The water heater sprung a major leak a few weeks back, did a bit of on-line research into water heaters and saw a note about not being in an area that required ultra-low NOx water heaters. Just hope the ultra-low NOx technology doesn't result in what happened with low NOx burners on furnaces. There were a number of house fires attributed to the NOx control design, though don't remember any reports of fatalities.

 - Erik

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • 24 posts
Posted by noemdfan on Monday, October 12, 2015 4:57 PM

GDRMCo

They've not changed the name of the locomotive tho, a 4-stroke SD70? Never...

 

 

 In the name "SD-70ACe-T4," "T4" is short for Tier-4 (final or "B") Emissions

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, October 11, 2015 4:57 PM

GDRMCo
The GE Demos are ES44A6 on the builders plate, what the A6 bit means I have no idea.

I suspect 6 AC traction motors, as opposed to 4.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • 1,009 posts
Posted by GDRMCo on Saturday, October 10, 2015 11:37 PM
The GE Demos are ES44A6 on the builders plate, what the A6 bit means I have no idea.

ML

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy