Best and Worst?

I personally am partial to GE's C44-9W as about the best I have worked with. The cabs (well, CN's version, anyways) are quiet, and well designed for the crew. Controls are easy to use and are placed in good locations. I've seen one of these units with the amp gauge buried for 15 minutes and it never slipped a wheel. (going up a 1% grade)
Then again, I recently had a CSX SD40-2 that dragged 6900 tons and a dead NS GE up a .08% grade. Crested out with the amp meter buried and smoke pouring out from the traction motors. Never did stall though. =)
(I was told not to stop and cool motors...)

Pullin4u

 

i really like the sd60's that we have on the ns. they do what you want and when you want them to. the sd40's are decent but they've been to h*ll and back and are gettin pretty run down. believe it or not the only good place for an NS GE unit is dead in tow! GE shoulda stuck to building toasters when it came to doing our dash 9's.

 

As far as operation and control give me a ole GP-40-2 or 38-2. As far as comfort the newer the better. To me personally the P-42 beats the F-59 except for sound, ride is a little rougher on the EMDs. The newer units with computers all seem to lack the responsive control and feel of the older -2 units.

 

The CSS runs only GP-38-2's and they seem to handle the traffic we carry well. Until the electric side of the South Shore prohibited their use we received several coal trains with the largest UP power available. The first train had an SD-9043 and a C44. Blew the SD-90 up at Gary, Indiana and the GE only pulled power in 5 throttle positions.
Just when I think our little geeps might lose their feet they dig in and make the grades that were built for MU's and not 110 car coal trains. Wish they had dynamics though......

 

Oh as for worst.
I guess it would be u25-b. Weird control stand, throttle that was long. And they just didn't load and pull good under load. My first knuckle I got was running a train with three of them had a monster train. I didn't feel as bad when the engineer I was firing for took over and promptly got one too. We had one come in to Tulsa one morning that had a slight problem on line. It had caught fire in the engine compartment. By the time the Vinita fire dept. got done it wasn't pretty. Seems the fuel injectors kept pumping fuel in to the fire. When we got to it in Tulsa all that was left was a pyle of molten steel for an engine. Think it was the 821 or 813 not real sure was a long time ago.

 

Can any one comment on the GMD1??

I have to admit I don't frequent this board, so If you could E Mail me it would be great-bcrking@hotmail.com

Thanx a bunch

Dane N.

 

The worst: most GE's, UP"s 8-40-C's 9100's are the only thing that GE built. Pull great and even better dynamics than SP ac4400's.

The best: Emd SD40-2 and GP40-2's, even though they are getting worn out.

Undecided: EMD SD9043AC's. when they work they work good, but they have ALOT of problems,mechanical and computer. Plus don't try to use them as remotes, too many problems to list.

Sometimes newer isn't better.

 

I am only a conductor but I see nothing wrong with our little s-2. Our railroad uses all ALCO power. We also use 1 FPA-2, and 1 FPA-4, but they both look exactly the same. I think we also have a C425 sitting on one of our lines.

 

I work for the New York and Lake Erie, on its Pennsylvania lines.

 

I think the worst engines are definetely the older GE's. The C30's and B23's. They slip and can't pull up a hill to save their lives.Also the door is so narrow you can't get your grip through the door. The newer GE's have great dynamic brakes but I would take a SD-50 or 60 anyday over them.

 

Did you have ever ride a RE 460 that the Swiss Federal Railways use?

[This message has been edited by rail_fan (edited 16 April 2000).]

 

Ah yes, the U25b
Wasn't that the one that had 16 throttle notches? If you had an EMD behind you, it responded to only every other notch? Governor would shut it down on low oil pressure when you came off the throttle? And something about the brake stand being weird? Always a pleasure to hear another U25b story. Burned right up, did it?

Not at all surprised to hear you complain about slow loading, but I've mostly heard that the U25b was a good puller once it got going. And it always made transition.

 

What about the SD70MAC, B30-7, GP30s?? CSX replys will be appreciated, but will take any other road's reply too!!!

 

well i am just a lowly conductor,but i have run some trains in my time and i personslly like the sd70's the best. they always want to pull more when you throttle up and the dynamic is also right there when you need it.

------------------
bnfan99

 

I have heard BAD things about the B36-7, as they load slower than a cow that had to much to eat.

Happy Railroading!

Dane N.

------------------
TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King
TAMR2860@Canada.com for TAMR info.
To send a general TRAIN! E-Mail send to
BCRailKing@Canada.com