I saw a UP SD9043MAC on the back end of a coal train this morning, and it got me thinking… Since the “43” isn’t really part of the designation, and since the engine is not really a “90”, shouldn’t it be called the SD79MAC?
Here’s my logic:
The GP/SD39 has 4 less cylinders (12) than the GP/SD40 (16), same with the 49-50 and 59-60. The SD80MAC has 20 cylinders, so the engine in question, with the same engine as the SD80 but with 16 cylinders, should be the SD79MAC.
I see your logic, but I guess it would be easier for people to remember that it was a 16 cylinder loco with 4,300 horsepower. They already forget how much SD60, SD70M, and SD75s and so on have.
You do realize that those locomotives were designed to have the 4300hp 710 engine removed and have the new 6000hp 265H engine installed. UP needed power ASAP so EMD put the 710 in some units with the intent to bring them in and change them out.
P.S. By the way Zach, I do know the hp. of the units you mentioned. SD-60 3800, SD-70 4000, SD-75 4300. The same rating of the SD-9043. Thank you very much [:D][8D]
Sorry but if your an ex- RR machinist like me, I needed to know the hp. before they get released from the shop. The onboard computer has a mode that will tell the hp. it is making while in load test. The #'s need to match.
Tradition has the “9” nomenclature as Series 12VEMD, wheather 567, 645 or 710 class, such as F59PH. Of course the cost advantage of a v12 verses the non-logic of less power, precludes the factor of the SD79AC, or GP79DC. But it is fun to think about! Also, I expect to see nomenclature change again, as Mac, or wide cab is now common, to a more accurate designation, like the SD90H, AC60, Dash9 40DC, SD70sDC, (s-standard cab), SD75DC SD70AC, and so on. Norfolk Southern SD70DC.
And…so…I just miss the v12, I think the only accurate unit mentioned, is the SD90H. Back when the Series 710 was first released, I heard EMD actually had a six axle locomotive with a v12, however it was never produced. Between the SD/GP 50, and the SD/GP 60, the reality of the obsolecense of the four axle road switcher precluded any future for anything but…a HP/TE race. Write another Diesel Spotter’s Guide?
Kind of on this subject, would there be a market, do you think, for an SD69ACE? Something that would have a 12-cylinder engine and produce somewhere around 3000 horsepower?
The standard EMD locomotive for Europe is a JT42CWR. It has a 12-710 G3B and six motors (DC as it happens). In Queensland, Australia we have GT 42 CU AC units that apart from being 3’6" gauge, ARE effectively SD69 MAC units, complete with steering trucks and AC motors. They are rated at 3030HP. There may not be a need for such units in the US, since they would cost nearly as much as an SD70ACe. They are the largest and heaviest diesel locomotives in Queensland, and are more powerful in terms of loads hauled than 3MW 25kV electric locomotives.
Marks’ right, the SD38-2 was “Livin’ on The Edge.” The McLoud Railway, with their mountain logging concerns, and Duluth Missabe & Iron Range, with heavy tonnage ore trains are the best use of the item. The L&N ran 'em as road switchers, as they didn’t wi***o invest in rebuild, now the CSX runs them and The Conrail units, as hump power. Always, in the past, railroads had to supply trade-ins, for component, such as truck rebuilds, and suffered the loss in availible motive power, which took months to prepare for. Why turn-in a Geep, which could be overhauled each million miles, for a new roadswitcher, which cost two or three times more? acj
Peter! [:)] Good to see you on the Forum! [;)] Quentin and I have been wondering where you were. [:0] [;)]
The Queensland Rail AC units that you mention, are they the ones that are numbered from 4000?
I went up to Maryborough to the factory for the launch of these. Quite a beast for a narrow gauge railway! [:)]
Yes those locos are the QR 4000 class, and a few more are being built for Pacific National for use in Queensland. We think those may be a “PN” class, but wait and see.
I’ve just got back from a drive to Port Hedland and back, about 16000 km all up, 10000 in Western Australia alone.
I saw lots of trains, nearly everywhere. Including the ARG S class, a double ended DC version of the 4000, model JT42 C. They are about to be renumbered, but we don’t know for sure what!
Thanks for coming back Peter. [;)] [:)] That looks like one awesopme trip! [:0] [:)]
Pacific National’s impending arrival here in Queensland for carrying freight to North Queensland got a lot of media attention up here, especially the effect on jobs in Queensland Rail now that it lost the deal with it’s major freight shipper.
The SD 90 MAC with 710 engine is closer to being an SD75 MAC than anything else. The SD75 upset the old “645” system where the addition of 5 to the model number meant a 20 cylinder engine. Thus the SD80MAC was a “+10” figure, which had previously implied a new model, rather than a larger engined version. The SD75 used the 950rpm 4300HP version of the 16-710 engine also used in the SD9043MAC.
There were no SD75MACs offered, which was strange, since the extra power would have made the loco more suitable for high speed work.
There were more SD9043MACs built than SD75s anyway!
I didn’t say it was necessary to redo model designations. I was simply making an observation. SD75=4300 HP, later SD70MAC’s=4300 HP. It was just for fun… lighten up a little…[;)]