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Locomotive radiators keep engines cool
Answers many questions I’ve had over the years. Well-written and comprehensive.
Interesting that GE alone uses the same type cooling system as most class 3 and larger commercial trucks do. With that in mind a word of caution, if observing a CML truck and the engine is still hot DON"T put anything you can’t afford to lose near the engine fan. It is controlled by a thermostat not by the ignition switch.
Same here, Lawrence, but I would have liked to see the radiator fans operations explained in more detail. Ex: Do both GE and EMD radiator fans draw air in from the sides, blow up thru the radiator and then out on top? Or do the fans draw air in from the top down thru the radiators exiting out of the side of engine grills?
Jesse - GE draws the air from the sides into the fans then blows it up through the radiators, while EMD sucks the air in from the sides and pulls it up through the radiators with top mounted fans that then exhaust the hot air to the atmosphere.
Very good article, very informative, was the SD-45 ahead of its time with its flared radiators?
good article,but one ? we live by G E plant in Erie ,if they only use plain water what happens in winter below 32 ?
David Phelps-Thank you very much. I understand the EMD process, but on GE engines, without top mounted fans, how then does it exhaust the hot air to the atmosphere?
Years ago I was talking to a worker in the engine terminal at Sparks, NV . The question came up about why they use water and not antifreeze. He though it had to do with the engine block because it is welded together and it is not cast. A car engine are usually cast and chance of a leak is small. A welded engine have cracks and water will leek through the cracks. Water and oil can be seperated if it was antifreeze it will dilute the oil and can’t seperated. He said there is red light on the pole (he pointed) that when it goes “on” he has to go around and drain the water out of each of loco that are shut down. The temp is below freezing when the red light comes on( winter time) that probably why most engine a kept running in winter.
To answer John’s question, a device called a “Hot Start” is installed on locomotives that see freezing temperatures. It is basically a 480 volt water heater and circulating pump that is turned on when the locomotive is shut down for any length of time. In very cold weather it is also common to let a unit idle between shifts or crew changes. In regards to Doug’s comment,I have been welding for 28 years and find it hard to believe an engine manufacturer would make an engine that was not tested for water leaks.
Loco’s use water predominately because it has greater thermal conductivity than ethylene glycol. The water is treated with corrosion inhibitor consisting of nitrite/borate. In northern climates loco’s will have a GURU valve which will automatically drain the cooling system water if the temperature approaches freezing. In order to avoid freezing and maintain engine block temperature the engines will be started and stopped periodically when not in use.