Sorry guys, I have deleted this. I may re post this, but I’m going to add revisions to it so every one can understand it. Thanks for you input.
I don’t know what you mean by “The locomotives for the grade are a GP-40 and a GP-38-2.”
Are these in helper service? Seems like tiny locomotives to serve as helpers for a main that is powered by SD45s.
Like wise for:
"Around Wausau an old GP-30 switches.
"Around Soo junction, the SD-24s switch there with the SDLs and SW-1500s.
"At Iron Ridge a chop nose GP-7
"a High Hood one switch’s the local industries there.
It almost sounds like there are certain locomotives assigned to specific towns. They must be pretty big towns if that is true. Usually a locomotive might get assigned to a whole branch. Example the Santa Fe assigned a single GP unit to the Bristol branch. It sat in Lamar most of the time.
I believe the prototype would have streamlined the roster to a more maintainable fleet. Too much diversity = great costs. Get rid of the SD45s asap as they are fuel hogs. That is why the 600 lower horsepower SD40-2 became more popular than the 45s.
P.S. The official EMD locomotive designations do not have dashes in them. GP30 not GP-30. The execption is for a second series such as your GP38-2.
I should think the GP units would be the road power, and the SD45’s should rule the grades. SD24’s could also serve as helper power, on a limited basis, such as when the SD45’s are in the shop. That’s my thinking, you can do as you see fit. That may actually be prototypical somewhere.
On my RR, SD45’s were purchased by the road’s shops, as the foreman thought he could improve their fuel economy, and as such, several modifications were made and tests run. Something about higher fuel pressure and improved injectors, increased turbo boost, and other highly technical matters. After much tinkering, they managed to get the SD45’s fuel consumption more in line with it’s horsepower rating. An unexpected benefit was a boost in available horsepower. They managed to boost the HP to 4000, instead of 3600. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!
Brad
WHat I didn’t catch was the actual modeled time period. I see secotions abondoned in 1992, 2002, etc so I presume before any of those dates. Is this an independent railroad or simply a joint operation of two larger railroads? I say this because I would not expect to see a small independent shor tline runnign such an eclectic mix of first, second,a dn third generation power, simply for the maintenence headaches and costs. While I’m sure I can get a half dozen replies with examples of how I’m wrong (since truly, there is a prototype for everything), it would be more plausible to be a bit more standardized. If you like all those different locos, you could build the layout a bit generically (just leave out modern 1990’s structures) and run different eras of your short line’s life. Early on - cast off first gen power, maybe 1 or 2 second gen units or early rebuilds. And a later version with all second gen or -2 power.
–Randy
Anyone know how they can measure horsepower, and determine the difference between 3600 and 4000 horsepower?
They can determine horsepower (HP for short) several different ways. They can measure the current output from the generator (or alternator, if equipped), measuring both volts and amps. A bit of math (which I don’t know offhand) gives the HP equivalent. They can also measure drawbar pull with a dynamometer car. This basically measures how much pull a locomotive generates. They can also (if a dyno car is unavailable) pull a train of a known weight (because you weighed it) and measure acceleration, time to achieve a certain speed, figuring in grade if the track is not level, etc., to figure HP. They can also calculate using fuel consumption, fuel thermal efficiency, turbo boost, air flow, and many other highly technical data, and calculate (estimated) HP that way.
On my RR, they just pulled as many cars up the 2% grade as the loco would haul, and did a comparison to a pair of 2000 HP locos. They also verified this by measuring the current output. That’s my story, and I’m STILL sticking to it!
Brad
Why? Now no one can follow the thought processes of the follow up remarks. How does anyone benefit if the original work is removed?
Even if the prime mover was improved by an unbelievable 400 HP the traction motors wouldn’t necessarily convert that extra power into tractive effort.
Maybe, if the traction motors had been upgraded/rebuilt/replaced/whatever. Or they could be using road slugs. The newest 6 axle power from EMD and GE are capable of producing 6000 HP, although getting it to the rails can be a challenge. Besides, this is my fairy tale. Let me use a little modelers license.
Brad