New Cummins engine to power Nippon Sharyo DMUs

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New Cummins engine to power Nippon Sharyo DMUs

New style Budd cars… Just what is needed

Anybody know the details of the transmission?

Nippon Sharyo should also develop a intercity DMU that also utilizes their patented tilting air suspension system, which is in use in a intercity EMU in use in Taiwan.

For a service like the Downeaster, modern DMU train-sets would be ideal. Or new services like from New York City via the Lackawanna Cut-Off to Scranton, Pennsylvania and New York’s Southern Tier.

In my mind is the fact that in the 1950s the New York Central made the Boston-Albany run in 4-hrs 15-mins utilizing Budd RDC ‘Beeliners’, while the ‘New Emgland States’ took 5-hrs 15-mins and the ‘Lake Shore Limited’ takes 5-hrs 30-mins today. The RDC’s had fast acceleration from station stops and good grade climbing ability. They also where very fuel efficent and cheap to operate.

I think a modern tilting DMU could deliver the same travel time today cost-effectively which would be competitive with driving and intercity buses. With a travel time of 4-hrs 15-mins a train-set could make 1-1/2 round trips daily, every other day returning to Rensselaer for maintenance.

Lastly, I would want them in stainless steel, for both style and durability!

Tier 4 final? That sounds like a non-road engine term instead of a locomotive emissions standard. Also, do they meet Tier 4 final without aftertreatment?

I don’t know about RDC limits, but the T4 requirements for switchers (under 1500 horsepower) are way lower than for linehaul locomotives.
The MTU repowers don’t need to be as clean as a new GE or EMD Tier 4 locomotive,

I don’t know about RDC limits, but the T4 requirements for switchers (under 1500 horsepower) are way lower than for linehaul locomotives.
The MTU repowers don’t need to be as clean as a new GE or EMD Tier 4 locomotive,

More than likely the DMU’s will have hydraulic transmissions. The Budd RDC’s used Detroit Diesels with Allison hydraulic transmissions. Most DMU’s use that configuration.

There was a report recently that the first pair of Nippon-Sharyo DMUs for Sonoma were in shipment from Japan to Rochelle, Ill. for more testing. The rest of the fleet will be built there.

I hope the railfan community keeps a sharp eye out for them to arrive on the west coast and move toward Rochelle.

Voith is a major manufacturer of hydraulic transmissions in Europe and was used on Colorado Railcars DMUs. However, Allison has a transmission designed to be used with the QSK19-R and American content might make it more likely.

SMART should get 18 DMU power cars, but only 14 engines?