Another locomotive lemon – the EMD DM’s on the LIRR – what ever became of them?
What’s a DM?
Dual-Mode passenger locomotives built by EMD to run with diesel engines or third rail shoes. The February 2006 Trains seems to suggest that after several years of operation most of the bugs have been worked out.
My latest communication from the LIRR says that there are two dual-power trains each way each day into Penn Station using the two double deck Kawasaki cars and a locomotive on the east end with a cab car on the west end, into New York in the morning and out in the evening. They say they intend to add more such trains as reliability and availability improve, so we can learn that they are still not quite up to expectations, but still good enough to reliably get through some very hot and vital tracks, particularly the E/ River tunnels. I am not sure whether both come from Port Jefferson or one from Port Jef and one from Oyster Bay.
It seems like a lot of these “Edsels” lead a longer life than I would have thought. Are there some “edsels” out there on the rails right now, that have defied the odds?
I seem to recall that BN couldn’t get rid of the cabless GE B30-7A’s too soon for them. ATSF was totally displeased with their B36-7’s.
Why would the B units be any less desirable than the A units? Or were the B30-7A and B36-7 A units unpopular too?
Last I looked there were four trains each way-- or is it five now? LIRR trains into NY Penn always (?) have a DM on each end.
If there are 4 or 5 each way, where are the eastern origination points now?
IIRC BL2s were in use for a long time. Don’t think they qualify as Edsels in nthat regard.
New Haven FL9s and EP5s (continuing the AMC thread) wer both full of “gremlins.”
work safe
But, aren’t some of the FL9’s still being used?
I had some thoughts on already mentioned locos.
1: GP20, It was my understanding that EMD was afraid to put a Turbo on the 567 and the success of this engine was the proof that this worked. I don’t think that qualifies as a Lemon. It’s no Edsel either though not as popular as other models.
2: GP35. I thought the problem with the 35 was the traction motors? I know that was the initial problem with the 40s. thought it was with the 35s too. In either case, over 1300 built and many still operating as is or after recent rebuilds. Certainly no Edsel and apparently no Lemon either.
3: SD50. I think when Trains did an article on the A&O last year they made reference to the 50s and their issues. There was something odd with some of the plumbing and/or wiring I think and once that was replaced they were solid units. Certainly Lemons but they lasted a while once wrung out. Not Edsels. I feel like the GP50s were better received though they had issues too. They’re still in revenue service as well though.
4: GP60M. This was a one off for Santa Fe and Santa Fe liked them well enough. The only credible mention I’ve personally seen about their bad ride characteristics was on Tales from the Krug and Krug basically stated he disliked the ride of all 4-axles units and this was no better. I’d be hard pressed to call that a specific issue for the 60M. This was the last 4 axle Freight unit, so of course it was an Edsel to a certain extent. BNSF still runs them and still up front. Saw a TOFC train a couple months ago with a solid set blasting through Fullerton the way God and Mike Haverty intended.
5: SD45X as was said, a 1 off, but the 45’s were intitially popular, that pesky gas shortage in the seventies was their problem. The SD80 suffered the same problem. 20 Cylinders.
6: SD90/AC6000 Certainly no Edsel. I suspect we’ll see the H-engine or it’s decendent return some day, or maybe a 2-cycle replacement for the 710. It was to
I belive there’s a handful of FL9s around, but, IIRC, they have been rebuilt, upgraded, etc.
work safe
Narrowing the parameters from an Edsel, how about a Yugo?
Did anybody try copying a design at best mediocore and in turn produce an absolute bomb?
As to the Baldwin centipede, I believe one major problem was that BLW never standardized their diesels. They built them like steam, with each unit being somewhat different from others in the same class. With wiring, etc. not being where or how the diagrams said it should be, maintenance had to be a nightmare. EMD standardized while BLW still thought of locomotives as custom produced machines.
Welcome to the forum bobontroy. I wonder if the centipedes would have been any better, if they had been built to some level of standardization?
as defined “edsel” the all time has to be the BL2…it was the engine the railroads were waiting for…they just didnt know it i.e. afraid of/refuse to change