I know the SD-40 is an all-time favorite among engineers, but what are the most popular units for engineers of modern units? I’ve read that engineers don’t like the desktop control stands, so many new units are offered with traditional style controls. Is there a major difference from an operational standpoint between an SD-70ace and an AC4400CW etc? I saw an SD-60M leading an SD-70ace and wondered if the crew wished the consist was running the other way around.
Thanks
Desk top controls are not that bad, once you get used to them. 26L stand is still the best.
My favorite new loco to run - UP C45ACCTE. Smooth as silk.
You are the first I have heard say a C45 is your favorite, most engineers prefer SD70’s or C44AC’s. comfort is an issue, but they are also really familiar with them and know how they will respond to nearly any situation. that can be worth quite a bit.
Desk top controls suck! Period!
I can’t say that I am thrilled about any of the newer locos. The new GE’s are a step down from the Dash9’s (which by the way is the best loco GE ever built, but don’t read too much into that). As much as I don’t care for the way GE units perform, the Dash9’s do have the best control stand setup. Plenty of room to stretch out and two screens to mutifunction.
The newer EMD’s with the screen in front and the small desktop really get in the way of us taller engineers ability to stretch our legs out. Almost as bad as a regular desktop. Somehow EMD managed to screw up the standard AAR control stand by placing the Dynamic Brake handle too far back to where it interfers with the bell and brake stand portion of the stand.
All in all the new units are nothing to brag about and I’m getting to the point where retirement is starting to look like it will be a big relief from the people that design these things.
Take a Dash9 cab and mate it to and SD70-everything else and you may actually have something to talk about.
SD40’s Forever!
After 37 years in the seat, I’ve learned to go with the flow. And yes, SD40-2 is the all time champ.
This is what my fav is for new locos
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=168912&nseq=39&favsearch=1
A bit slow to load, but once they go they’ll really pull. If any switching to do, the SD70M is good, even with the desk top controls.
Older locomotive it would be the sd40-2 newer it would be the sd70ace.
Rodney
Interesting analysis.
I have seen that written many times: “Take an SD70 engine and trucks and put them under a GE cab and you have a nice product.”
Have also seen Dash 9 referred to as “Trash 9”.
Finally, I personally like the look of the SD70ACe and SD-45 Hustle Muscle the best.
If you can get past all the old pro EMD stuff here, you will find out that the new (Dash 8 onwards) GE’s are the best around today, more comfortable, more reliable, more fuel efficient, though that is more of a management thing. Maybe Caterpillar will lift EMD up with the new 4 stroke engines, but that is still to come! It is true that the Desk Top controls are disliked by most, hence the move back to the AAR style controls.
For switching nothing beats a pair of former Southern Railway SD40-2s, especially the ones that have been rebuilt with air conditioners! For the road I prefer the SD70M-2s. They have a smooth running engine and have a much nicer cab than their GE counterparts. The only thing I don’t like about them is a small desk in front of the seat that is easy to bang your knees on. From GE I like the UP C45ACE and the BNSF ES44ACs with the standard AAR control stands. As far as that goes, I’d like to see all of the engines equipped with desk top control stands converted to “B” units with their cabs removed but that’s just wishful thinking on my part. The worst engine I ever ran was a former Southern Railway B23-7…what a piece of junk! The best engines I ever ran on pig trains were three or four GP60s. As long as you didn’t put too much tonnage or length behind them they would beat anything out there! What a blast it was to be able to run around slower pig trains being pulled by big six axle Dash 9s designed for drag freight service! TBG
Actually, EMD is at least as fuel efficient if not more so.
I can’t speak to its ability to haul tonnage or the ease and comfort, I’m not an engineer, but I know, because the stats are out there, that the GEs are NOT more fuel efficient.