What do most diesel locos weigh?
I looked at my old August 1990 Southern Pacific Roster to find the approximate weights of some locomotives. Note: the weights of some types of locomotives varied by more than 20,000 pounds.
Model Weight
SD40-2 (SD40R) 394000
SD40T-2 410000
SD45T-2 410000
GP40-2 278000
GP60 287000
8-39B 290000
8-40B 290000
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/49682/629687.aspx#629687
Another way to answer this is 65,000 to 70,000 pounds per axle. Variation per railroad’s practice and intended service. Hot intermodal tend to be light, coal drag power tend to be heavy.
Many of CSX’s 6 axle GEs weight 432,000 lbs or 72,000 lbs. per axle
^ ^ ^ What they said. ^ ^ ^
To expand a little bit: The maximum weight - both ‘per axle’ and ‘total gross’ - is usually governed by either bridge ratings and/ or or track structure and condition. The
As Paul North states “The maximum weight - both ‘per axle’ and ‘total gross’ - is usually governed by either bridge ratings and/ or or track structure and condition.” Each railroad states in specific terms in its purchase specification documents what the locomotive weight will be. Before run-through operations were common a railroad could specify axle weight independ of concern for other railroad track structures, not just bridges but also rail and roadbed capacities. For example virtually all of Union Pacific 6 axle road locomotives built from 1968 to 1993 had a total weight of 396,000 pounds (66,000/ axle) when delivered. Union Pacific DDA40X locomotives delivered in 1969 were made for 72,000 pound axle load. Even the axles themselves were 1/2 inch greater in diameter to sustain the higher load. DDA40X locomotives were restricted to operation on the primary main lines and were never run through to other rairoads not becuse theywere so big but because they were so heavy.
Union Pacific never did have “extra heavy” 410,000 6 axle locomotives, but it inherited some SD40-2 Heavies from Missouri Pacific. The truck springs were different for the heavy weight, but sometimes these locomotives would get set on standard 6 axle trucks and would promptly break their springs in the first weeks of service.
During the 1980’s improvements in railroad track and structures were necessary to accomodate the proposed car weight standard of 71,000 pounds per axle, and as a result locomotive weight could now be increased for all railroads as well.
In the early 1990’s when GE was designing their Hi-Ad truck and EMD was designing their Radial Truck both were designed for 72,000 pound axle loads. With locomotive weights expected to increase by 10% both manufacturers also became concerned with increasing the locomotive braking ratio pro
The dda40x weight is 538,000 lb.
The DDA40X Service Manual states the nominal weight as 540,000 pounds. With a full fuel load and full sand the actual weight is over 560,000 lb.
I’d have to disagree with that since the UP has essentially run the DD40X on the MP, TP, C&EI, CNW, MKT, CRIP, SSW, SP and WP I know you can put a DD40X around the loop of a coal fired power plant (but its too wide for the dumper).
Dave H is correct that DDA40X locomotives have operated on railroads other than just Union Pacific mainlines, but not during the years (1969 - 1985) that they were in regular service. By the time the DDA40X locomotives were retired except for 6936, many roads were well underway improving their roadbed and structures for increased axle weight. By then MP, TP, C&EI and WP were Union Pacific. Some lines that cannot handle the full wheel weight of UP6936 can take it with a reduced fuel load.
Sooooo, what’s the average weight lets say? All then weights got me a lil confuzzled. MILW’s RSC2’s weighted around 237,000lb I do believe.
Would a RR make an order for some new trains and have some built to a lighter weight? or would they just make the lighter trains a different order.
If I remember correctly, CSXT’s New ES44DC’s are the heaviest Evo’s right?
That’s 216 tons total, or 36 tons per axle = a lotta locomotive !
More details are on this concurrent thread with posts on 10-26 and 10-27-2009:
Berea Ohio 10/3/09 Times And CSX AH4400CW #5112 Never Seen Labeled Before
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/162222.aspx
- PDN.
MILW ordered RSC2’s and later, the SDL39’s, in order to work branches with light rail that couldn’t support anything heavier. C&NW also had some light 6-axle power for the same reason.