GE has one too that they’re showing off.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/200752411420_hybrid_1.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/200752411028_hybrid_2.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/200752411053_hybrid_3.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/200752411114_hybrid_4.jpg
Now I read somewhere that carbon dioxide is not a major factor of global warming…Because other planets have similar heating patterns as our “global warming” patterns, and they have no atmosphere. Make sense to me, but hey, I ain’t no environment-savvy professor scientist guy.
But it’s good none the less to lower pollutants, as well as fuel costs.
Railpower Technologies also has a hybrid diesel switcher. It has a diesel of between 70 and 250 HP, depending on options. They are also working on a hybrid road switcher with the performance of a 2000 HP conventional diesel and a container crane
Who will be the first model locomotive manufacturer to produce environmental friendly locomotives? In other words, produce models of the ‘Green Goat’.
I will buy two or three switchers / road switchers when they come in N-scale. Are there anyone interested to have them besides me?
I would definitely purchase a model of the Green Goat in N scale, depending on price of course. Gotta admit, I would love it all the more if it came with a hidden smoker. [(-D] Would put it to work at the Soylent Plant for sure. Wonder who makes the smallest smoking unit, anyone know? How would the sound unit differ for a green goat, compared to other switchers?
[C):-)] Rob
You already have the sound device in it for free! It’s an electric motor in it. But of course you also have a small diesel that is running on constant rev when the batteries need charging.
But I don’t understand why you want a smoke device? Is there something I have missed?
I always wanted to make a garden-like industry for a railroad and call it the Soylent Greenery. I never thought of how appropriate a Green Goat would be for that situation. That’s perfect! [swg]
And I would definitely get a Green Goat or two in N scale. Maybe even a GenSet.
It is my understanding that a few of the Green Goats have had battery fires in them. Perhaps Atlas/Kato/whoever comes out with one could offer a Blackened Goat version! No doubt such overload/heat issues will be worked out in time. I’m just poking a little fun at them.
Excellent point on the “sound device”. (I missed the obvious) Perhaps the model manufacturer can put in a noisy motor for better effect. [:D] Although a big UP fan, in model form I would like to have the RAILPOWER paint scheme.
[C):-)] Rob
Judging by the engine specified for the original Green Goat, I imagine it sounds rather like a diesel pickup truck. After all, that’s what the engine was originally designed for [(-D].
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Supposedly someone was making a resin shell of one but as we all know most resin companies are usually cottage industry deals and usually tip toe out of the business just as quick as they came.
I hope someone of the big manufacturers will start making them. As far as I know there are no newer switchers than the MP15. The MP15 was produced from 1974 to 1980 according to Atlas. So I think it’s about time to start producing and selling a bit more modern one.
What about the prototypes? Are there any newer switchers produced than MP15? Maybe the Green Goat is the only switcher beeing produced?
There are the Wabtec/Motivepower Industries switchers, which look like the original Green Goats.
http://yardlimit.railfan.net/mk/index.html
http://www.wabtec.com/railroad/manufactured.asp
EMD recently produced GP15Ds and GP20Ds, but I think they were not popular, so they dropped them. http://www.emdiesels.com/lms/en/home/
Also, check out the September 2007 issue of RMC.
They’re planning on rebuild the Green Goats that caught on fire and market them as the Black Sheep.[:-^]
Kaslo Shops is producing a MK 1500D (photo), which, if you ask me looks alot like a green goat. http://www.kasloshops.com/projects.htm (Look near the top of the page.)
When the Trains Magazine Special Issue “Locomotive”, was published, it said The GP20D was still in EMD’s catolog.
The AP article contained in the first post appears to contain 15% interesting tidbits and 85% hype, playing to the uninformed masses.
“The first diesel-electric hybird locomotive…”? Gee, I thought diesel electrics came out in the 1930s - in the USA.
So maybe the difference is that the new Japanese loco has some storage batteries, in addition to the 70 year old diesel-electric technology. That’s good. Wonder why this first came out in Japan (if, indeed, it did)? Think it has anything to do with the highly subsidized Japanese effort for advanced battery technology?
“Compared to cars, trains are a relatively small contributor to global warming.” OK, that’s true. People forget that 80% of CO2 comes from natural sources, and that the biggest man made CO2 contributor is coal fired power plants!
Sorry, I’m venting. I’m an engineer in the US automotive industry, and getting tired of the media and uninformed hordes bashing us around for not being competitive with the Japanese, not being green enough, not building cars that people want (guess we forced all those pickups and SUVs down people’s throats). Rag, rag, rag…
Global warming and energy conservation are very real issues, but these issues weren’t created exclusively by the auto industry (or trains, for that matter).
So what’s really special about this new “Hybrid” train anyway, except the batteries, the big hybird letters on the side, and the media hype? I think this article is 95% hype, but correct me if I’m wrong. New technology to solve some big global isssues is welcome, wherever it comes from.
Bill Field
Modeling St.L, MO, but living in MI and supporting a critical industry to our country
&n
[People forget that 80% of CO2 comes from natural sources, and that the biggest man made CO2 contributor is coal fired power plants!]
Someone really should take a poll of plants to get their take on CO2…betcha they would vote unanimously for an huge increase. After all, there was a time when there were much higher amounts of CO2 on old planet Earth than there is today and lots more vegetation as well. But oddly enough, those core samples get ignored. (don’t get me started [banghead])
That MK 1500D sure looks familiar. When will it become available in N, or is it? I still want the green version so I can custom blacken it. [(-D]
[C):-)] Rob
I think the EMD no longer makes the GP20D. They do not have a page for it, nor is it listed in the North American Freight Locomotives page (http://www.emdiesels.com/lms/en/locomotive/na_freight/index.htm). However, I was able to find a reference to it (http://www.emdiesels.com/lms/en/locomotive/index.htm). Maybe they do still make it, but is seems doubtful.
It seems to be a couple of green goats rolling out on the yards. Disguised as BNSF, UP and KCS switchers. The green goats are at least one of the very few switchers produced for the moment or maybe the only.
I hope someone from Atlas, Kato or the other manufacturers read this and start designing a new switcher line based on the Green Goat. There is a market for modern main line locomotives like AC4400 and SD70/80/90 so why shouldn’t there be one for modern switchers?
The issue on CO2 I think we will save to another thread and forum. I do have an opinion in that matter though.