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Post by railfansd40t2 on Aug 11, 2014 18:54:27 GMT -5
This is a long empty coal drag headed out of Mount Holly NC from the Duke Energy Power Plant. Are all of these units AC's ? Yes that is my 04 Pony sitting there for size comparison LOL     Paulie |
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Post by emd16645 on Aug 11, 2014 20:41:16 GMT -5
Short answer: yes. You have here an ES44AC in the lead, followed by an AC6000CW, and lastly a second ES44AC. Best way to tell GE models apart (AC4400CW, AC6000CW, ES44AC) is the radiator section on the rear. The AC4400CW is much smaller than the other two, the AC6000CW has a pronounced overhang over the rear walkway, and the ES44AC has a similar sized radiator as the 6000, but without the overhang. The differences between AC and DC models are far more subtitle, however CSX makes it really easy. Look for the lightning bolts next to the cab number, the bolts are on AC locos only (as far as I know).
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Post by railfansd40t2 on Aug 12, 2014 5:47:11 GMT -5
Thank you Chris for that explanation,
These shots are actually stills taken from the video I was shooting from my phone of this train and when watching it as I was shooting I notice the difference of the radiator over hang on the second unit and thought to myself that is definitely different.
I think you are absolutely correct about the lightning bolts on the cabs being the AC units but here is another question I think I may have asked before but want to be clear on. what is the difference between the AC & the DC units? is that a designation for the traction motors meaning the DC units are DC motors and the AC are AC motors?
Paulie
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Post by emd16645 on Aug 12, 2014 6:44:24 GMT -5
You are correct regarding the main difference between AC and DC units. AC traction motors have superior traction effort and low speed performance while the DC motor setup is cheaper and just as efficient at high speeds. You will typically find that lower speed drag freights (coal in particular) is the domain of AC powered locos, while high speed intermodal for example is typically large DC powered locos. AC traction motors were not placed in service until 1993/1994, as such none of the common 4 axle locomotives were built with AC traction motors.
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Post by railfansd40t2 on Aug 12, 2014 18:19:21 GMT -5
Thank you again Chris for all the very helpful answers.
Paulie
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Post by emd16645 on Aug 12, 2014 19:04:24 GMT -5
No problem Paulie
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Post by ThoroughBreed on Aug 13, 2014 13:26:54 GMT -5
Here's an interesting tidbit about the AC6000's: The walkway on the engineers side has a 'hump up and down over the air tanks" that no other GE does.
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Post by railfansd40t2 on Aug 13, 2014 17:28:16 GMT -5
Hmmmm,
I will have to investigate that a bit further,
Thank you
Paulie
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Post by ThoroughBreed on Aug 14, 2014 16:10:36 GMT -5
Let me rephrase to say that 'no modern GE has that distinct characterization'. Not sure about anything older than a c44-8w.
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Post by railfansd40t2 on Aug 15, 2014 18:24:22 GMT -5
Hey Eric, Went looking around and it seems like CSX really likes the AC6000CW 's ! I see what you mean about the walk way having the step up and step down which I really like the looks of. I also noticed they seem to be the only ones with a notch cut out between the air tanks. Again I am trying to learn what I can so can you tell me what that is mounted in that notch area between the air tanks? I hope to see more of these units around here and since the main line I am close to handles a lot of coal runs I need to pay better attention to the power.  Paulie |
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