railroadjeep
Road Foreman
Road Foreman of Hostlers
Posts: 61
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Post by railroadjeep on Aug 22, 2012 12:38:45 GMT -5
The SD9-3 we have running around here with the Q-tron engine management electronics has axle alternators on all 6 conductor side journals, all for the wheelslip system. Combine that with the RCL system and speedometer, 9 out of 12 journal's have a axle alternator/generator bolted to it.
Other units I've seen (40 series GP's and SD's) with either aftermarket wheelslip systems, or -3 upgrades, have the axle speed indicators as part of the traction motor, much like later production EMD's, so no axle end device was needed on the journal for the wheel slip system.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2012 13:19:17 GMT -5
Thanks railroadjeep. That is also great information. So what your saying is that on some units, the speed recorder is internal to the traction motor. Hmm, cool. Is that the same for wheel slip? or those are always external?
Brian
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2012 13:44:09 GMT -5
Thanks to a fellow modeler and good friend, the COPPER STATE RAILWAY will be taking delivery of two SD40-2 snoots. As soon as unit 500 is done, these units will be shopped and prepped for service.
I am not going to do it, but it would be rather cool to high nose the snoots, remove the cab and turn them into B-units.
Although, I am going to get a couple high nose units and shop them into B-units. The cabs will be removed and the control stands removed. These will be used in three unit lashups for long haul trains. The line that goes from Phoenix to Wilton and the line that goes from Phoenix to Eloy.
Brian
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Post by hotshot3305 on Aug 22, 2012 15:29:32 GMT -5
Although, I am going to get a couple high nose units and shop them into B-units. The cabs will be removed and the control stands removed. Brian[/quote]
Brian, You were making wonderful progress until you made the statement above. :-(( Why not do as CP did and simply paint over the windows and place a placard on the doors saying to only be used as "B" units or something similar.
Bob HighNose, Ga.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2012 16:44:02 GMT -5
That was actually my original thought. Of course then I get carried away and start trying to be unique. Good thing I have people like you Bob to keep me honest.
Giving it a bit more thought while driving to Raleigh to pick up my wife, leaving the units as is and plating over the windows is a much better idea. Yes, a much. Better idea. One will be ex N&W though with triple clasps and one will be ex Southern.
I feel better.
Brian
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Post by hotshot3305 on Aug 22, 2012 20:15:05 GMT -5
That was actually my original thought. Of course then I get carried away and start trying to be unique. Good thing I have people like you Bob to keep me honest. Giving it a bit more thought while driving to Raleigh to pick up my wife, leaving the units as is and plating over the windows is a much better idea. Yes, a much. Better idea. One will be ex N&W though with triple clasps and one will be ex Southern. I feel better. Brian Brian, This will be one case where you can glue the windows shut and not really feel bad about doing so. ;-) Bob
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2012 7:12:45 GMT -5
No need for even windows. I am going to plate over them.
Brian
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Post by Randy Earle on Aug 23, 2012 11:42:53 GMT -5
Brian, this would seem to be the opportune moment to sneak in that SD-35x/SD-40x, eh?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2012 12:20:41 GMT -5
The verdict is still out on what othe rtype of power I want to add. I need to investigate what causes a railroad to purchase a specific type of power.
For my road, the SD40-2 is a natural choice. EMD = reliable, SD40-2 a penultimate work horse and can handle pretty much anything my railroad can throw at it. Add to this class one railroads trading up for more modern power so the 40-2's coming up on the resale market.
Currently my thinking is to stay with the SD40-2 for everything. Now these could be the standard SD40-2, SD45-2 with 40-2 guts (like Arizona & California units), SD40T-2 units. If I were to go with additional types of motive power, I think the most reasonable would be GP38-2's or the various 4 axle power rebuilt into 38-2's. I thik this would be more realistic for local switching.
For yard switching, at least when I was living in Arizona, SP/UP was was using 4 axle power. GP40-2 or GP38-2. I even think they used a walk along remote control GP40-2 or GP38-2. I was thinking for my yard unit to use a pair of SD40-2's. Locals though I do think will be 4 axle units. I'll probably roster 6 of the various types of GP38-2's. Maybe do what Utah Railway did and by a bunch of GP35's and rebuild them into 38-2's and run them in back to back 2 unit sets.
Brian
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railroadjeep
Road Foreman
Road Foreman of Hostlers
Posts: 61
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Post by railroadjeep on Aug 23, 2012 14:30:30 GMT -5
Sorry, I get lost trying to exlpain things by translating from work terms to what everyone else will understand. But it's the other way around, the axle speed sensor's for the wheel slip system are integral to the TM combo. The speedometer axle alternator is still external, bolted to the end of a journal. I could dive into explaining all the various ways this stuff works and ends up being installed, like axle alternator vs generator vs speed sensor. But then I'd just end up rambling on and on... But don't take that as I don't want to talk about it! I envy your skill in modeling and have learned a lot reading your posts and followng your website. If I can return the favor by giving you some insight in the how/why/what of the prototype, I'm more willing to help! Chris
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milw199
Superintendent
Beaded crossbucks FTW
Posts: 180
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Post by milw199 on Aug 23, 2012 15:15:31 GMT -5
SD40-2s get purchased because they are currently cheap. There are lots of places they shouldn't go (curvature and bad track), and newer engines have more power. New emissions regulations might also come into play.
GP38s are getting expensive, as the Class 1 remembered they have tracks 6-axle power shouldn't use, but they had gotten rid of some of their 4-axle power.
Rebuilt GP35s, GP38, GP40s would all be appropriate. Some are getting Dash-2 electrical cabinets (or Q-Tron or similar) installed.
If the track allows, all SD40-2s would be OK. They ride nice and pull good, and have good visibility from the cab.
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deez
Chairman
Midland Belt Railway
Posts: 949
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Post by deez on Aug 23, 2012 15:44:24 GMT -5
IMO the Kato GP35 is the most useful diesel on the market. If you are still stock piling them like I , I amwould go the rebuilt GP35 route like mentioned above Brian. They look cool with PAF boxes too.
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Post by 1fatrussian on Aug 23, 2012 15:57:40 GMT -5
Brian,
I am not sure whether or not the actual mine is open or not, or what kind of operations the Copper Basin does beyond what we drop of at the Junction at Magma. Generally what I see on the Magma Local is several Hoppers of copper concentrate from the Pima Mine that get delivered to the smelter, as well as tank cars (acid), anode flats (empty in loads out), occasionally some lumber flats and covered hoppers.
I drove past the huge open pit mine near Ray AZ about three years ago and it looked very open to me, there were several Haul Trucks in there, to tell you the truth that huge hole in the ground there looked like the opening to hell it was that deep.
In Tucson we do have walkalong remotes, they are usually ex SP GP40-2's, which early on would be coupled to another GP, 40-2 or even a 60, lately I have seen them mated with SD40-2's SD60m's SD70Ace's and GEVO's in the yard. As long as the Remote Consist has a Remote Control Locomotive unit and locomotive can be MU'ed with it and used in that consist, MU'ing for a walkalong remote is the same as a standard ocomotive consist, so it could be plausable for you to have on or two RCL units and any other type of Loco could be coupled to them doing remote work.
I will try to do some asking around about what is going on as far as operations up to Magma, I know a hoghead or three that spent some time up there.
Eric
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Post by 1fatrussian on Aug 23, 2012 16:27:15 GMT -5
Brian, here is some info I pulled off the net as far as what UP hauls in and out of Magma, (interchange with Copper Basin): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_Basin_RailwayIt is actually quite a bit of stuff going on there, when I was training to be a conductor I spent a week on the Magma Local, we would leave Tucson early in the AM and head up to Picacho on the Gila Sub then take the Phoenix Sub as far as the Magma Interchange, sometimes we would do work in between, p/u or s/o at Coolidge AZ, we even picked up Autos on the return trip at Picahco AZ. Back then the trains were pretty big, 80+ cars in and out, now the trains are around 30-40 cars, the train lengths have definitely followed the economy. Also keep in mind that this year is Arizona's 100th birthday and if you are modeling the present it would be cool to see a centennial unit (I am modeling a freelance RR along the same lines as you called the Southern Arizona RR, it will have two centennial units, numbered 1912 and 2012. Eric
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2012 19:08:59 GMT -5
Eric, You really peaked my interest. I have been trying for a while to think of a reason to do some sort of centenial type unit. That would be GREAT!!! Thanks for that info. I am going to have to do some investigation on what might be a good theme for them.
Mike, from what I remember. The track is all 6 axle capable. It was upgraded while I was living there. I remember when they did it. Put in all welded rail into the branch lines and I have seen some big 6 axle power on it.
I do believe for my 4 axle power it will be sets of GP35's rebuilt to 38-2's. I really liked the look of the Utah Railway ones. Very impressive looking. They will do the job. So I think I have nailed my roster.
12 SD40-2's opf various car bodies 8 to 10 GP35's rebuilt to 38-2's used in two unit sets.
Brian
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Post by 1fatrussian on Aug 24, 2012 2:08:25 GMT -5
Brian, Here is a website with the Logo that I see around the state a lot in conjunction with the centennial: www.az100years.org/Hope that inspires a little more. Eric
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2012 6:53:10 GMT -5
Eric,
That is GREAT and as sson as I saw it, I knew exactly what to do!
Both those paintings are perfect. Do what Wisconsin Central did. If I can somehow get just the paintigs off the page in some form, then size them to fit the hood side and put them across the entire hood. One for one side and the othe rfor the other side. Do it on two units and then put the AZ centennial symbol on teh side of the cab.
WOW, thanks for this.
Brian
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2012 8:51:48 GMT -5
I have made the decision to not build a boxcar fleet. I could nto come up wiht any reason why my road woud invest in this. Sticking with the regional shortline theme. I can now finalize my decals and get a quote from Microscale.
Brian
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2012 13:08:07 GMT -5
Eric,
Looking at the web site you listed, it turns out the font I use for my COPPER STATE RAILWAY is the same font as the word ARIZONA that is on the AZ centennial logo. If I can make it work, my first unit is going to be the AZ Centennial paint scheme unit and if I can makeit work right, it is going to be so cool! I am jazzed.
Brian
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Post by 1fatrussian on Aug 24, 2012 22:05:11 GMT -5
Thats cool!!! I just picked up a super cheap (the drive line was popped off the truck) Genesis FP45 at the LHS today and am tryingto figure out how to fit in into the fleet as it is on paper today for my Proto-Freelance Road, I am thinking with the large billboard-like sides I may make it into a Operation Lifesaver unit or something along those lines, still not sure what I'm doing with it.
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