So what everyone seems to be saying is that the AC motored engines are more of a specialty locomotive, purchased for a particular hauling task. DC power is still the norm for general use. Right???
So does anyone in the operation departments know if a SD70mac spends less time in the shop for other than normal service work than does a SD70m(dc). Isn’t this also something that would help in the price difference, if a loco is not out of service? Less miles/day=less revenue.
Interesting conversation.
But what about digital power it seams to combine AC & DC in the model train world. Has this being tried in the real world to?
So if AC is stronger and DC is… lets say faster? or something like that, couldn’t be a digital loco have both characters?
Or do I just talk noses!? (Always was good on that though, lol)
Krgds
Cor
BNSF runs a lot of coal trains thru here - with SD70MAC’s, the newer GE AC and just plain old Dash 9’s, in any combination. Doesn’t seem to make a big difference.
Mookie
I have noticed that more lately mookie,It’s realy kind of strange that the BNSF is using C44-9W’s on coal trains. What has happend to all the SD70MAC’s?
BNSFrailfan.
They all seem to be in Joe’s backyard. He sees a lot of them. There is a big change in the power line-up even from just a year ago. Then it was mostly 70’s. Now it is a mixture. And while I still see some SD40’s and 45’s on freight - they are now putting some 9’s on the head end. Will have to start keeping track!
Mook
Oh boy this is starting to sound better and better day by day! If the power shortage is that bad why don’t they start using EMD GP38-2’s on coal trains?
BNSFrailfan.[:D]
They have all ours tied up running freight around. But I will start keeping a list of the comings and goings. Will report back in a few weeks if I start to see a pattern…or even if I don’t.
Mook
NS uses SD40-2’s on the Strawberry Ridge coal trains and mostly C40-9W’s on the other trains, I’ve heard that NS tested AC verses DC and found that, of all things, the AC’s were in the shop more than DC’s!!!
Mabe because the NS doesn’t know how to them the right way.
BNSFrailfan.
I have it direct from David Goode that the reason NS hasn’t bought AC power is because of the investment in DC motors, infrastructure, etc. (it also helps that they have their own, very good, motor shop).
He also mentioned they were keeping an open mind toward future purchase of AC, particularly if the economics (primarily price) improved.
Very little question in my mind that NS shop forces could work effectively on all AC drive components, even after GE’s service/maintenance guarantees expired…