EMD's proposed RB3600

[omaharoad]

With the horsepower race revving up around 1960-61 and the Krauss-Maffei ML-4000 diesel-hydraulics under construction, EMD proposed to SP a 3600 hp twin-V12 567 engined C-C booster unit, the RB3600. This never-built predecessor to the DD35 is mentioned in Joe Strapac's "Southern Pacific Motive Power Annual 1973" and in John Garmany's "Southern Pacific Dieselization". Strapac's book has a sketch by Roger M. Cortani on page 33.

The sketch shows the unit with a set of engine cooling radiators and fans directly above each prime mover (a la BL2) and one set of dynamic braking grids and fans centered. It also shows flat ends, no battery boxes or central air intake, and numerous hood door louvers indicating a non-pressurized car body like the GP20 and SD24. The text says it would have used strengthened three-motor Flexicoil trucks and would have looked like a stretched SD24B. It is not clear how much of the sketch was based on EMD's specs, or if EMD's engineering and design teams had even reached the point of specifying the odd radiator locations and other features.

I'd like to build a model of the RB3600, but I need to know more about just what EMD proposed.

Does anyone know where more info on the RB3600 can be found? When was EMD's proposal first made, and when was it cancelled?
When did EMD begin work on the GP22/30? Demo unit 5629 was finished in June 1961, but production units weren't delivered until March 1962. I have to wonder what date the RB3600 been built with a sealed (GP30 type) car body?

Thanks

[omaharoad]

I haven't turned up any more info, so by using Michael Eby's diesel
drawings as a starting point trainiax.net/me55-emd.php , I came
up with my rendition of EMD's proposed RB3600:

dl.dropbox.com/u/80998212/RB3600_48_in_db_right.gif

A mix of SD24 and GP20 components, my goal was to make it as short as
possible and still have room for two 12-567s, generators, and dynamic
brake grids. Unlike Mr. Cortani's sketch, I opted for a conventional
dynamic brake-over-prime mover configuration with the radiators centered
a la DD35.

I saw no reason for a center pass-thru as it would have lengthened the
unit unnecessarily. As drawn it is 74' 10", about 14' 2" longer than an
SD24.

I made the two dynamic fans 48", but two 36" fans (as on the SD24) would
have sufficed. Single 48" fans were used on the contemporary GP20 and
paired 48" fans were coming on the SD35 and subsequent EMD 6-axle
power. I assumed SP would have opted for the extra d/b capacity.

Like the SD24, my version of the RB3600 has its air tanks mounted on the
roof. This makes room for a larger fuel tank which has been shortened
to allow for an underframe-mounted battery box.

I used the rectangular GP20-style blower bulge instead of the rounded
SD24 style because the GP20 was developed after the SD24.

A full SP lighting package is mounted on both ends. No plows as it is a
"B" unit.

ANY further info would be appreciated, thanks.

[icghogger]

No denying, that looks pretty damn sharp, Rob! Please keep us posted on the progress of your build.

[deez]

Rob I like your drawings of your RB3600, but still I think the original illustration is very "EMD". I think the passthrough gives it that distinctive double engine look. The dynamics in the center are to me the only odd looking (by EMD standards), setup. The rest looks very cool. I would also not leave the ends flat but rather like the SD7-SD24's ends. I might have to create my own version. You have got my gears turning now too!

[T]

Nice idea here's side 1of a project I am working on.

Tom

[T]

here's side -2

Tom

[omaharoad]

Dec 22, 2012 19:17:31 GMT -5 deez said:

Rob I like your drawings of your RB3600, but still I think the original illustration is very "EMD". I think the passthrough gives it that distinctive double engine look. The dynamics in the center are to me the only odd looking (by EMD standards), setup. The rest looks very cool. I would also not leave the ends flat but rather like the SD7-SD24's ends. I might have to create my own version. You have got my gears turning now too!

Thanks. My goal is to do a model as close to the "prototype" as possible. That's why I consider my drawing just a artist's concept for now. I'm still looking for more info on just how far EMD went it their proposal. Did any EMD drawings or even sketches exist?

[Jack Napier]

That is a truly bizzarre locomotive! Nevertheless, I am throughly interested in how this project turns out. ;D

[emdx2015]

for some reason i cant view yer file

[Deleted]

Neither can i comes with an error code

[pacbelt]

Yeah.... I can't see anything - not even the pictures that Tom posted afterwards.

[m a y o r 79]

You guys pulled up a 3 year old thread, thats why. Im guessing the file isnt in his dropbox anymore.

[Deleted]

Didn't even notice since I hadn't pulled it up