Locomotive Length

CB&Q Fan Jan 2, 2007

  1. CB&Q Fan

    CB&Q Fan TrainBoard Member

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    I am looking for the lengths of many 6 axle locomotives such as the AC4400CW, SD70MAC, U30C’s etc. Is there a website that I can find the dimensions of locomotives?
    Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 31, 2008
  2. Triplex

    Triplex TrainBoard Member

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    An AC4400CW and SD70MAC are both about 74' long. The U30C - SD40s are 66' long (or was that SD40-2s?) and I know 6-axle U-boats are about 2' longer than SD40/45s, and 6-axle Centuries are another 2' longer...
    Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
     
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  3. Robbman

    Robbman TrainBoard Member

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    A SD70MAC is 69' 10" long over pilots. It's 74' over couplers. This is an important modeling distinction that often gets overlooked (another is the usage of wheelbase instead of axle centers)

    SD38/40/P40/45s have two coupler lengths. Ones built before mid-1968 are 65' 8", ones built after are 65' 9.5". All SD38/38AC/39/40/P40/45s have the same frame length of 61' 7.5" over pilots.

    Six-axle U-boats and -7s are ~63' 1" over pilots, 67' 3" over couplers.*
    Six-axle -8s are ~66' 6" over pilots, 70' 8" over couplers.*
    Six-axle -9s and ES' are ~69' over pilots, 73' 2" over couplers.*

    C628/30s are 64' 8" over pilots, 69' 6" over couplers.
    C636s are 63' 10" over pilots, 69' over couplers.



    *I haven't confirmed pilot measurement, these are SWAG'ed ;)
    Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 31, 2008
  4. Triplex

    Triplex TrainBoard Member

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    I seem to recall that AC6000s are 76' long - I guess that's over couplers?
    Not all Dash 8s are the same length. I know the C32-8 is around 3' shorter than the C39-8.
    Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 31, 2008
  5. Robbman

    Robbman TrainBoard Member

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    Yes... AC6000CWs are 76' over couplers, figure 71' 10" over pilots.

    AC4400CWs are 73' 2" over couplers...

    I meant to not include the 12cyl C32-8 in the six-axles -8s... I had the GE manual right beside me... it is 67' 11" over couplers.
    Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 31, 2008
  6. OC Engineer JD

    OC Engineer JD Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    You guys are good! :)
     
  7. Mr. Train

    Mr. Train TrainBoard Member

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    JD
    That is why I like to hang around all you guys.:shade:
    Just trying to learn:embarassed: somthing
    Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
     
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  8. CB&Q Fan

    CB&Q Fan TrainBoard Member

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    Ask the pros and I get detailed answers. This will be helpful in determining what will run on my layout. Thanks!
    Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 31, 2008
  9. OC Engineer JD

    OC Engineer JD Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Trainboard is the place.:);)
     
  10. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Here are some older (SP) engine lengths. Note the tunnel motors (SD40T-2 and SD45T-2) are two feet longer than the standard SD40-2.

    [edit] BTW, there are some interesting footnotes at the bottom of that page. I don't believe I ever heard of an "SD40A." Here's a picture.
    Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
     
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  11. Robbman

    Robbman TrainBoard Member

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    A few errors on that page. Biggest is that they're stating length over couplers as frame length.

    Second is they state that SD40As and SDP45s have the same wheelbase as SD45X/SD40T-2 and SD45T-2s. That is not true. They do share the same frame, but Flexicoil trucks have a different wheelbase than HT-C trucks.

    SD40A, SDP45 have a 45' wheelbase, with 45' axle centers

    SD45X, SD40T-2 and SD45T-2 have a 45' 2.5" wheelbase, with 45' 5" axle centers.

    Note that wheelbase is measured from bolster to bolster. All HT-C trucks have bolsters that are offset 1.25" from their center axles.
    Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 31, 2008
  12. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, Robbman. Honestly, that is a lot of detail for me. When you leave frame length and coupler faces, some of it goes over my head.

    If you have time to answer, what is a flexicoil truck? I know what an HT-C is. Also, what is an "axle center" measurement? Thanks.

    [Another edit] And while we are at it...What about anti-climbers? Are they a part of the "frame length" or are they bolt-on items? Is the "frame length" the same as "locomotive length?" Seems like it should be, without the couplers.
    Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 31, 2008
  13. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Here is a whole lot of information on sideframes. It is listing eight variations of flexicoil trucks. Basically, they are EMD trucks that preceded HT-C trucks.
    Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
     
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  14. Robbman

    Robbman TrainBoard Member

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    You seem to have the Flexicoil answer, so I'll start with axle centers.

    Axle centers is just that... on a six-axle unit, it is the measurement betwen the center axles. Not useful on the prototype, but it is useful for modeling purposes, far more ueful than wheelbase (see below)

    Anticlimbers are not part of the frame length.

    Frame length is not locomotive length on the prototype. All they care about is the length between the pulling faces of the couplers.

    When we model a locomotive, frame length is far more important, as model coupler lengths are not set it stone...

    Same with wheelbase. Wheelbase on the prototype is measured between the bolsters... i.e, it's measured where the trucks actually pivot... that is more important than axle centers.

    On our models, we need to use axle centers... as the model most likely won't have it's trucks pivot point in the same place as the prototype.
    Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 31, 2008
  15. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Okay, that's good. Good information there and some things I was not doing for modeling.
    Thanks.
    Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
     
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  16. Big Al

    Big Al TrainBoard Member

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    Good point about model vs. 1:1. On CP Rail the SD9043 and similar units are listed as being 80' 2" long. That's the only measurement we get and I believe that's over the coupler pulling faces. Longer is better in my opinion as the longer units ride better, especially on jointed rail. As long as it can pull the train I'm happy. On my model railroad (when I had one) the smaller units were prefered due to the sharp radius I used.
    Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 31, 2008

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