If you were in charge of an RR like UP or BNSF, what would you buy? The EMD SD70ACe (or the DC version the SD70M-2), OR the GE ES44AC (or the DC version the ES44DC)? and Why?
I agree 50/50 on your signature…UP’s crappy, GBW ROCKS
If I was running the CP up here in Canada, I would continue to buy AC traction, it may be more costly up front, but overtime, it definately makes up for it, especially with the grades that need to be negotiated through the rockies.
I’ll cut you some slack on the UP thing since you like GBW. [;)] Even though I like UP, I’ll admit they need to worry about their routeing problems first, and start sueing Railroad Model Compaines when everything is perfect with their system, (in other words…never).
That’s what I would do, I would buy the SD70ACe though.
SD70M-2. I could buy more for the same $$$ giving me additional flexibility.
Reb
Hmmmm. Sounds like the NS way…DC power in large numbers…
LC
I would have a mixture. AC power for places for grades where I need the beasts to pull hard and DC power for the more flat places where I can go fast and be fuel efficient.
How do you propose to keep the AC units only in the areas where the grades are? KCS, for example, has distinctive knowledge of how difficult this can be… and where the costs and inconveniences of additional crew time, delays, etc. related to locomotive management of that kind can be. Keep in mind that you have to have some duplication of parts and service/maintenance equipment and training to be able to run two different types of electrical drive, a major reason why NS isn’t buying AC power.
I suspect you’ll find that properly-designed inverter AC locomotives will be increasingly more fuel-efficient at faster speeds – no inherent counter-EMF issues. Would that by itself justify the additional cost of AC drive? Probably not.
Crew changes equalls loco change except for intermodals which would keep the DC locos since intermodal is rarely heavy. Also I would use the AC for heavy unit drags.
Every time I picture “my railroad” it is on the flat plains of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Ergo, A.C. doesn’t do me that much good–at least the way I understand it.
Someone will probably attack the premise underlying my reason–and I hope they do and educate me in the process–but I would chose EMD.
(1) Seems like EMD’s hang around longer and resell’s to regionals and shortlines are better.
(2) I like the look and sound of EMD better.
Good topic,
Gabe
Thanks, I always felt EMD’s last longer then GE’s. Santa Fe is the only railroad (that I know of) that rebuilt their GE’s, compared to EMD’s…didn’t SP rebuild theirs like two times or something?