gr@uvacs.UUCP (11/28/83)
Just recently GE has surpassed EMD in orders. It is rumored that this is largely due to the former's progress in terms of fuel savings. That is the major focus of possible railroad innovation, especially by our own CSX (ex- Chessie, nee C&O) here back east. On the other hand, according to local shop forces, the GEs are harder to maintain and have more trouble getting over the road compared to EMDs. I was told that it takes nothing less than a drop pit to change brakeshoes U-boats, er, B-boats! - Greg Richardson Charlottesville VA
jpg@sdchema.UUCP (11/30/83)
Im glad someone finally wrote to this newsgroup! I was under the impression that EMD has always been far ahead of everyone. Also this is the first time Ive ever heard of a DIESEL railfan trip. What kind of locomotive would be used? old E-8s?
jpg@sdchema.UUCP (12/05/83)
I think the reason EMD had such a large lead for so long was because of the decisions of the war production board during WWII that EMD would build all the diesels required for the duration of the war while ALCO,Baldwin and others were allowed to build only steam locomotives.
yee@ucbvax.UUCP (12/07/83)
I just received the new issue of Extra 2200 South. Some interesting things: EMD is progressing well with its uP-controlled locomotives. The last two SD50's that CSX is ordering will be "SD50 M/P's". At the same time, CSX cancelled its order for 22 B30's. Anyone out there know why? UP is going to replace 16:1 compresion ratio 645's into their SD40 (-2) fleet along with new Creare turbos. With this setup the EMD's are said to have equivalent efficiency of a C30-7. GE is no where near dead, though. BN is said to happy with their B30-7A(B) units and are receiving their second order for 67 units plus 3 B30-8 units. I heard GE's B36-8 #606 made a run on the SP a while ago. Anyone have results of that test? One last question: I got a cab ride out of Richmond, CA on the ATSF recently and asked them about EXCUSE ME!! the "Big Two". The OP men seem to prefer EMD power, although they are impressed with the B36-7's. -Tim Zahnley P.S: Alaska's new GP49's cost ~$830,000 a piece. How much is a B30-7A cost??
stevel@haddock.UUCP (12/11/83)
#R:sdchema:-97100:haddock:15300001:000:674
haddock!stevel Dec 1 17:18:00 1983
There are lots of DIESEL railfan trips. F3, BL-2, E's, and all
sots of ALCO's have been used as the interest power on fan trips.
There was also a "last ride" pull of a GG-1 when they stopped
running them on NJTransit, North Jersey coast line.
Right here in Boston we have several local rail fan clubs that
run scenery trips pulled by F40's in pull pull configuration.
Sometimes they use their F10's (rebuilt F3's and F7's) as power.
It is nice to commute to work every day on a train pulled by
a 27 year old rebuilt F3. Complete with original prime movers,
admittedly with alot of parts replaced.
Steve Ludlum, decvax!yale-co!ima!stevel, {ucbvax|ihnp4}!cbosgd!ima!stevel