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Burning Journal -> Engine Pit -> More disappearing units?
Post Info TOPIC: More disappearing units?
Uke


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More disappearing units?
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From what I gather, BNsf plans ta lay up more SD-40s. And the best of 'em may end up in [no shit!] yard service! What? Yard service. AS in switching duties. Probably as 'booster' power for RCLs assigned ta hump jobs.

Thew worst? Sell 'em off, or return 'em ta the original lessees.

And they plan ta shed the older GPs...38s. Pre-Dash-2 stuff. Damn near all Interbay's switchers [1000s, 1200s, and 1500s] are out of service awaiting dispo.

Most of our fleet of SD-9s have all but disappeared. The last ones, now dubbed SD-9-3, maybe TWO...are hump power. Converted ta RCL of course.

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The Krink


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Be easy on me if I'm wrong, but I always thought
every locomotive has a mode used for switching
purposes. Sort of like in an automobile transmission
where you had "D" for drive and "L" for low. I remember
back in my "unathorized student" days an old hoghead
telling me that back before the GP30/GP35's etc. became
everyday switching power.

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Uke


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Not ta disagree...all the 'old' EMDs were designated 'road switcher' by the original manufacturer. The operative word here is 'road.'

With occasional switcing [pick up, set out] while the majority of work being main-line haul. Period.

Most of the Class-Is ran, and maintained 'em according to a strict schedule, beyond the 92 day mandated FRA 'inspection' cycles. FRA laid out guidelines for periodic inspections at 184, 368, and 1104 [3-yr] tests for all the major mechanical/electrical equipment of each locomotive.

Burlington Northern adhered to these shedules pretty damn well...into the 1990s. Take a look at any SD 40-2 in original green/black livery.

We'd probably still be running GP-7s, 9s, and first, second generation power were it not for the improvements that EMD came up with over the years.

But...the use of turbocharged, 6-axle power for yard service...baffles this grunt's mind! And 'they' derate 'em ta 2500, or lower HP doesn't help a damn bit. Might's well pull the turbos off, and lower the HP output ta 2000 with blowers.

My point, really is that as BNsf replaces older road units on a two-for-one basis, by GE ta EMD, you still can't justify shedding old EMDs. We've got plenty of units laid up right now...and no plans for 'em.

This is called 'rationalization' of the fleet by certain Ft. Worth types. I can't wait ta see how a Dash-9 does in local, or yard service after the bigs get done doing their 'jobs' on BNsf's behalf.


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Calvin


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Its easier and cheeper to buy new units with fuel saving technology and emissions compliance, than to rebuild the old engines.
They had to find an excuse to get rid of the units that would not go away, ie fuel consumption and exhaust composition came into play.
The old engines were built too good and would not go away.
Just like everything else, its too expensive to pay specialists to work on things.
Design it for modular repair, (ie a retard could fix it by changing a black box instead of a technician troubleshooting to the component level...the retard works much cheaper).
In 8 years, make it obsolete and in need of replacement.
Ya make more money selling a new widgit instead of fixing an old one.
So the newer GE's will fall apart in 8 years. GE will have a new Loco to sell.
The old one won't be fit ta sell to a short line...just cut it up for scrap.

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Buckethead


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There is more on the way Uke! I was just told today that BNsf has ordered 700 new locomotives over the next 4 years. I didn't hear is they were EMD or GE's...

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The Krink


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Is there anything stopping the railroads from having 5 digit locomotive numbers?
I've kind of lost track how many locos the railroad giants have these days.
Is either the BNSF or the UP near the 10,000 plateau? I used to keep track
of shit like this but I've been busy lately.

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Buckethead


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Costs to much for new stickers...

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BlackDog


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Talk about disappearing...

When the ICCN took over they couldn't wait to get rid of our shit. The 45's were the last to die, but with lack of proper (or any) maintenance they were allowed to run themselves into the ground. The IC graciously allowed us to use their old POS SD40's that look and run like they were just salvaged from the bottom of Lake Superior.

Then they went after the "overmaintained" DM&IR. Their rebuilt SD-9's are gone, and now practically all of their SD-38's are history. Those poor old bitches would pull the world with nary a glimmer from the wheel slip light, they just wouldn't do it fast. Now they are replaced with former BN SD40-3's that those prima donna motherfuckers in Woodcrust, er, Woodcrest destroyed in their quest to prove that you can indeed turn a silk purse into a sows ear, with or without lip stick.

-- Edited by BlackDog at 20:49, 2008-09-25

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Buckethead


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I can't believe they still use this thing.

8032.1118464980.jpg

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Snippy


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What's wrong with it? It's a -2. At least they relocated the horn.

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Buckethead


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Isn't that thing former Milwaukee Road?

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Calvin


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Buckethead wrote:

Isn't that thing former Milwaukee Road?



According to this...  http://www.trainweb.org/milwaukee/roster.txt

there are many of these Resourceful Engines still working.



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BlackDog


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The merger was in '85 and it's still roaming around in Milwaukee paint. That's amazing.

Milwaukee Road, America's Resourcless Road

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Troll


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BlackDog wrote:

The merger was in '85 and it's still roaming around in Milwaukee paint. That's amazing.

Milwaukee Road, America's Resourcless Road






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Buckethead


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BlackDog wrote:

The merger was in '85 and it's still roaming around in Milwaukee paint. That's amazing.

Milwaukee Road, America's Resourcless Road


The Milwaukee Road--The worlds longest rip track...

 



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