As soon as I’m done getting one of each of the steam classification locos and one of each diesel(I’m getting close) I need to start looking at diesels 1964 to the present. What diesels do you think the NKP would have selected after the GP 35, and Alco C-420, and switchers to upgrade it fleet. Keep in mind, the NKP was a conservative and efficient rr. Assuming they still had the W&LE, took over N&W, the Southern, and half of the CR, I wonder if AC would be a big part of their fleet, or the same engines in DC(SD 70 MAC vs a standard SD 70). What switchers SW 1500, MP 15 D, Mp 15 AC? This is a blank canvas, give it your best guesses, 1964-present. R. Staller
Well this might help, but the way the prime mover made DC or AC power depended on the generator unit. If I remember right a generator makes DC power, which gets fed into a convertor which converts it to AC. This is older stuff too, I know modern equipement can have a generator and AC convertor all built into one unit so the generator actually creates AC right off the bat. But back to my point using AC required more equipment, therefore more maintainance, and of course the extra cost of the convertor equipment. I can’t really tell you if DC will make more tractive effort over AC, but at the same point that has as much to do with the motors at the axles as it does the type of electricity used.
Even needed I can get a list of all modern lokes from 1972 up starting with EMD -2’s and GE Dash 7’s with HP ratings and current type. I can remember some off hand but not enough to start making a list.
The whole point of my question was, what do you think would have been the next logical step in the NKP’s loco aquisition after GP-35’s and the lone Alco C420, and first generation switchers? What would they have acquired after 1964 as the original question was posed. I’m sure they would have got some of CR’s AC locos, but the NKP being the conservative and efficiency minded rr they were what other loco do you suppose they would have bought post 1964 to the present?
The thing to do is to look at the NS roster, and trim as you see fit. My guess, seeing as how they are apperently GP heavy, they are likely to have picked up soem 38s and 40, and stopped there for a while. I’m assuming you’ve seen it, but if you haven’t, a gentleman has taken the NYC to the modern era, he’d be some good experience too. And look at the roster data if you ccan get to them on the MRR homepage. In taking on as much road as they did, one runs a risk of such rapid income as to become spending happy. Also to keep in mind, is how much track they trim off. Illinois Central Gulf cut 2/3s of it’s company, sopun off a boatload of shortlines, and prospered. NKP might do something similar, to cut slack off, and may not need as many engines. If your so inclined to kitbash, you could take that C420 in and have it refit to EMD parts, trucks, sounds etc, the way Jeffery-Wimberly ( member here) did his U-Boat and Santa Fe did the Beep. I’d almost expect some GP60s bought later. In modern era, it becomes almost a neccecity for there to be Dash-9s or AC4400s.
Well since my post before wasn’t worth the input I guess I will try again. Since you say NKP was conservative and efficient I would say they stick with GP35’s. Maybe not as efficient to rebuild a loke, but definity conservative. I’ve noticed starting in 90’s that some older lokes were rebuilt so much they only original pieces were the boy. The assuming the average say 25 year life span, the Alco would be due in late 80’s possibly early 90’s. Alco was dead, but a great time to be rebuilt with EMD components say a 3800hp prime mover used in GP/SD60’s. Or even rebuilt with GE parts, say prime mover, generator from a Dash 8 series with 4000hp. I’ve also heard of some RR’s getting rid of lokes way before their time for one reason or another, so your NKP could have easily decided that the new for '72 EMD GP38-2’s would be better off. A GP38-2 modeled with some Alco trucks could represent a trade in, although I don’t know if EMD still did that so late in game.
You already nailed it on the head with switchers. SW1500’s or MP15’s. As for AC/DC (sorry had to do it) options I would look at a few things. So far all engines I’ve mentioned used DC motors so thats something to think about. I would think it would have costed more to buy or rebuild an AC prime mover and motors compared to DC, so a conservative RR might get all DC engines and spend the money saved on buying/rebuilding new a equipment on more pressing things, like track, grade crossings, signaling & detection equipment etc.
With CN working the rail behind me I’ve seen quite a few lokes. I’ve seen GP38’s and 38-2’s, GP40 and -2’s, GP40-2LW, GP9R’s, SD75I’s, even some more modern equipment like C44-9W’s and SD70MAC’s when BNSF visits the yard.