Ed has just sent me a shot of a huge UP GE loco. Brand new - just rolled out of the factory in June 05. The big loco number was 5512 and under that number, in much smaller black font, there was a series of letters and numbers that have us both stumped - some sort of UP designation for that loco? It was: C45ACCTE
Can anyone enlighten us ? [;)] [?]
Dave
It is called:(GEVO). Or known as a ES45AC CTE.
Allan.
Allan,
The FRA card said it was a ES44AC, 4400 hp.
We used it to switch today.
It has semi-metallic brake shoes.
Kicks great, don’t stop worth a hoot!
But what the UP designation breaks down to?
I got the C45AC part, but the rest, CTE?
C-six axels
45, normally means horsepower, and would indicate 4500, but the card and GE’s builders sticker says 4400.
AC, alternating current traction motors…
But the rest….
Ed
Maybe the 45 is wishful thinking.
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=37066
CTE stands for Controlled Tractive Effort- it means that they can lower or raise the engine’s tractive effort produced. This is used so as not to pu***oo hard to cause a derailment when serving as a helper or DPU.
Ok I got it now. Then ill call them ES44AC CTE,Correct? And another thing. Is the UP the only RR who ownes the CTE? Allan.
Chris,
Makes sense to me…
Was not inside a lot, but it has a few more do-dads on the monitor screen than normal, didnt have a chance to read what all was there.
Pretty slick locomotive, though, it had a electric hand brake, just push a button, and it winds itself up right quick.
Still had a brake wheel, though, just in case.
Eric,
I think your right…that kinda threw me, the outside says 45, which should be 4500hp, but the tags and cards say 4400.
Wish I had read the enviromental tag more, I wonder if it was designed to be upgraded, or maybe Randy can jump in here, I remember a article where you could adjust the HP output somehow…
Ed
Norfolk Southern and BNSF have both placed orders for the new GEVOs. NS has always preferred D.C. traction and no more than 4000 HP, so their units are designated ES40DC. BNSF has ordered ES44DCs and ES44ACs (for coal service).
Also, they are designed to be environmentally friendly (low emmisions), and can generate 4400 HP with the new 12-cylinder Evolution series prime mover.
UP calls them C45AC-CTE’s…the 45 to keep them from thinking it’s a real C44AC-CTE.
Oxymoron of the day: Electric Hand Brake.
Note to all operating employees. If life gets any more comfortable, they may start to ask you to wear a suit and tie on the job.
Jay [}:)][(-D][(-D]
In the early passenger diesel days - ties on engineers were common.
dd
They don’t now…lol>>> http://uptrain.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=143769
Hey everyone, thanks for explaining what the designation refers to - Controlled Tractive Effort - another mystery bites the dust.
Dave
Just in case there is somebody out there who hasn’t followed all this, the difference between a UP C44AC CTE and a UP C45AC CTE is that the C44 has the old Cooper-Bessemer derived 7FDL-16 (16 cylinder) engine and the C45 has the new GEVO 12 cylinder engine. They are both 4400 HP, but UP has adopted the C45 designation to tell them apart.
GE calls the C44AC CTE an AC4400 CW
GE calls the C45AC CTE an ES44 AC
Is that clearer or worse?
Peter
Oh my God,Now I am realy[%-)]. Just kidding.
Allan.
Ah memories! Dad wore starched and ironed overalls and hat (kept them from getting quite so dirty) and then switched to cotton washpants, cotton shirt and tie when he got to the passenger level. No break for Mom - she still had to iron everything but the tie…
Moo
As is usual in these matters, Peter absorbed all the information and managed to ground the ball right under the goalposts (a great rugby play for those who are either sane or not Australian).
As is my tendency in these situations, I will turn the question around. Are any of the Australian railroads just as confusing with their loco designations as UP?
…on manifest freights, stackers, or other not-so-heavy trains. CTE isn’t necessary on unit coal, grain, or soda-a***rains, loaded or otherwise.