take a look at this one. This picture was taken on a Conrail train in December 1979. credit given to Fallen Flags RR Photo page. http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/
almost looks like some one hacked the noses off of two Tuckers and welded them onto the cab out of a 1955 Mack 100, and stuck them on a switcher chassis.
That baby's got style! Probably evolved from a 44 tonner. No, more like General Motors answer to the 44 ton. [ 29. December 2002, 05:00: Message edited by: pray59 ]
Now you have me curious. It almost has an appearance of European origins. Could this be a possibilty? Boxcab E50
That is a GMD-H1 built in Ontario for export. Several of these units went down to Brasil but it appears that the Raritan River Steel Co. got it's hands on one! When built, they wore GM badging as opposed to EMD. They are rated at 600 HP. To me, it looks like they would have great visibility for switching ops. They would also make a nice kitbash! Russ
Wonder if this critter is a diesel-hydraulic? OR............. If someone is using a Tyco diesel in a shot to fool us? Just kidding...........
Khalif, looks like you hit the nail squarely on the head! From the description, it sounds like a diesel/hydraulic, transferring 800 HP through torque converters. Sure is a pretty little thing ... pity it never caught on. [ 30. December 2002, 02:56: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]
The chassis looks amazingly like an SW unit . Also, is it me or does the styling remid you a bit of a Krauss-Maffei design? (Which was a Diesel-Hydraulic engine) Russ [ 30. December 2002, 04:26: Message edited by: rush2ny ]
There was also a single ended version built that was pretty similar, but without one of the hoods. You can find pictures of both in the original Diesel Spotters Guide.
IIRC, there's a pic of this very engine in the Second Diesel Spotters Guide. I think the reason that diesel-hydraulic never caught on much may be due to the experiences that railroads such as Rio Grande and Southern Pacific has with Krauss-Maffei diesel-hydraulics. There was an article some years ago in TRAINS about the K-M diesels, and the incredulity of the German tech support staff who were astonished that we Americans kept our diesels running 24-7, shutting them down only for maintenance (92-day, if all goes well)- apparently the folks at K-M were used to the German system and their shutting diesels down every day.
It seems my last post here didn't take so I'll try again. A very similar, if not the same, loco is now in sooutheast Michigan. It has been mechanically refurbished and operates occasionally in tourist service on the Southern Michigan Railroad between Clinton and Tecumseh during the late spring to fall season. If I remember correctly it is GMDH-1. The engine was painted flat black the last that I saw it. I hope this helps someone.
Thanks for the info Doug ... and welcome to Trainboard ! We are pleased to have you join our happy family
