Hi guys,
in this thread I intend to show you some photos of how CVRD did the modifications on the old C-C diesel units bought in USA to do the falous EFVM and FCA BB+BB units. I start with this picture showing how they cut the couplers to lower than a bit for meter gauge operations.[:)]
SORRY, THE CORRECT IS “THE FAMOUS EFVM…” [:D]
You sure come up with some very interesting threads, Pedro. I will be looking forward to a lot more pics on this. [tup] [yeah]
Pedro, could you give us some idea of the cost to do this conversion? Are the b+b trucks manufactured locally? I wonder how the cost of all these conversions compares to the cost of just converting to standard gauge roadway. If these conversion parts are not locally manufactured, where do they come from?
I’ll give Pedro a bit of a lead to work with. EFVM could be considered to be a tropical version of DM&IR in its prime. A gauge conversion would be incredibly expensive and unlikely since all of the existing locomotives and rolling stock would also have to be re-gauged. Traffic volume is heavy so there is no possibility of down time to allow for re-gauging.
Wow! It seems hard to imagine that those huge EMD hood units on rails with spacing less than 3 ft wide as the photo above shows!
I guess it’s safe to assume that they won’t be zipping around curves like Rio Grande’s GP40s did when they hauled the “Railblazer” fast freights during the 1980s.
EFVM is meter gauge (39.37"), a bit more than 3 ft.
I´ve heard from a friend that works at EFVM they spent about U$ 170,000 per loco, including the cost of the locos and transport to Brazil. The trucks are made in Brazil by a company called Cruzaco. It has a site where we can see some photos of the trucks: www.cruzaco.com.br. All other parts needed are made here too, by companies like Usiminas and Usimec, among others.
Brazil has just one standard gauge railroad: EFA, in Amapa state. It was built standard because it is isolated there and has no way to link with other railroads because Amazon river is too wide to be crossed by a road or a railroad. Also, because it was built by an american group that joined to a brazilian one to explore manganese in Amapa state. Most of our railroads are meter gauge. Broad gauge is about 3,500 km long. But the government decided some years ago that new companies must be constructed only as broad gauge, because is more efficient. That´s way Ferronorte and Norte e Sul are broad gauge, because they are new companies.[:)]
pedro
Here we see how they cut the frame to lengthen the plataforms. Note how wide is the frame section.
The front ends are separated from the locos…
Pedro that is amazing. If we tried that here I bet it would cost 3-4 times as much IF you could find someone willing to do it. Are the traction motors reused or replaced? It seems that the originals would be too wide for meter gauge. Does Cruzaco export to the U.S.? It appears that many of their products would be compatible with our systems. Also when you say “broad gauge” exactly what is that gauge in either inches or meters?
Broad Gauge in Brazil is 5’ 3". I believe that EF Carajas in the Northeast and MRS Logistica operate on this gauge.
Hi tmdmidget,
I think Cruzaco export its products to some countries in Europe, Africa and USA too. The traction motors are new on some locos, but some locos received replaced ones from old GE U20C (the DDM45´s use the same traction motors of GM G12), because the original motors are too wide for meter gauge. The broad gauge in Brazil is 1,600 mm (5´3" ). In Argentina is a bit larger, 1,676 mm). Our broad gauge companies are: MRSL, Ferronorte (now part of ALL system), EFC, FNS, EFJ, ALL (old Ferroban and Ferronorte lines), FCA (just the old Ferroban lines in Sao Paulo state).
Pedro[:)]
Here we see the new frame added to the plataforms of an old UP and CP Sd40-2…
Here is CP 5653 receiving a
new plataform …[;)]
Going to rate this thread high too, again because of the fantastic photos and the subject matter!
Where else do you find first hand information about a railroad outside the US that not only rebuilds older American motive power, but goes to such lengths to make it work for them, and take such pride in their work and their railroad?
These guys are serious about railroading!
Yes, CVRD is a great company. It has railroads, huge ore mines, and huge cargo ships too. [:)]
The rebuilt locos need smaller fuel tanks because the BB+BB trucks are very big![:)]
Here wee see the cutting process…
Have you see the inside part of a SD40-2 fuel tank? Here it is![:D]
[#ditto]
I have agree with ED. The shots are amazing, I am sure the photos are also a hit on the Model Railroad side as well. You show some real life “kitbashing.” I would hate to think what the cost would be to do this here in the U.S. I wonder what the builders think of this process.
Any information on what the tractive effort is in the BB+BB mode? I wonder if it is increased or still equivalent to the original wheel configuration?
Thanks, Pedro [8D]