Who was asking about the Gen Sets that UP had?
We have had one running around UP’s Englewood and Basin yards, and once in a while at PTRA’s North Yard for a few days, MUed to the 2101, one of the re-engined GP50s…doing yard to yard transfers.
Thing sounds funny, like a heavy Mercedes diesel truck.
Here it is at the Basin tie up track…sorry about the quality, it was 1 in the afternoon, the sun was straight up and I was on the way home and didn’t want to hang around any longer than needs be.
…Not sure just what “Gen sets” are Ed…Is that one of the latest units with 2 or 3 engines and gen sets and can run on all or just one or two…Hence, doing the environment a favor.
That’s the idea, Quentin,
I haven’t figured out the exhaust stacks arraignment yet…looks like they have one diesel up front, and two in the rear, with the alternators in the middle of the long hood…might have to climb up on one when next time they park it at the port…
They are advertising on the long hood, it says “Ultra Low Emissions Diesel Genset Switcher” and “Engines of Change”.
Are they typically just used in switching?
Yep, looks like three engines/generators in one unit- did a google search and found an interesting presentation:
…It seems like a lot of expensive equipment to keep in good running order, but if that’s the concept, it sounds like a good one to me. Only enough engines running as needed.
I had the opportunity to drive home an Hybrid Lexus a couple weeks ago when I had my vehicle in for a day of servicing and it was really interesting to watch the images displayed on the dash just what was happening. Let off the throttle and maybe even apply a bit of brake and it indicated it was on the electric Motors {now generators}, working to slow me down. {And charging batteries}. Upon starting the vehicle it is totally silent…No sound. Tramp on the throttle and away you go but just with the electric motors propelling it…until more throttle is depressed, and then the gasoline engine comes into action. All this occurs seamless…Total, it had around 300 hp and would really move but it’s rating was about 30 mpg and it was an SUV.
Be looking forward to your under-the-hood report, Ed!
Every once in a while we’ve seen these UPY2600s go through here en route to Texas. They don’t linger very long.
The UPY 2700s are being built for California service, and look a lot less cluttered on the hood than these–three sets of everything, and three stacks. I still think we may have commandeered a few of them and added RCO capabilities so they can be used here.
Quentin, when we were in California we got a ride in a Prius, and I was where I could get a good look at the screen. As you say, it’s all seamless, and this car was as peppy as our own.
…Carl:
I was pleased to experience just what it is and how a hybrid acts. This vehicle I described above also had a CVT transmission along with it’s hybrid system of power train.
That would take a bit longer {for me}, to get used to but suppose it would be just part of the system in a little while. {For those who are not familiar with a CVT, it is a continous variable transmission}. Infinite ratios. One pulley increases and the other decreases in dia. which are driven by a special type of belt to transfer ratios to driving wheels.
I really was intrigued how all the this “stuff” really worked together.
As I did mention of starting out on the electric motors at a stop sign and then when the throttle was pushed a bit harder, how the engine came to life…{again, did not hear it}, and helped move us on out and up to interstate speed. Overall, the “hybrid” system {to me}, worked very well.
As I recall, among the ‘features’ of a genset locomotive is that they are modular. If one of the gensets fails or needs work that would otherwise take the locomotive out of service (other than the routine stuff), it’s a “forklift replacement.” Out with the old, in with the new. Then the maintenance folks can work on that particular generator ‘at their leisure.’
I’m sure we’ll be seeing a variety of configurations for a while.
Tree,
From looking at the long hood, I think you nailed it…seems as if I remember seeing a photo of the diesels on skids for quick replacement…think it was in Trains a few months back.
We had one of the battery powered units here for a few days, it was going to South Texas…had a small diesel, and the rest of the long hood was solid batteries…never got to hear it running though.