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Post by guilford681 on Feb 6, 2015 18:05:33 GMT -5
So some of you may know I have a freelance class 1 Guilford Rail Systems. I will eventually post all the details on it someday. BUT for right now I was going to have some of you throw some ideas at me for my favorite locomotive. I was going to pretend GRS bought many of the retired DDA40Xs from UP and fixed the cracked frames. I was thinking recently, I want them to under go some sort of rebuild program or maybe this would be the second one in 2015. I was thinking to imrpove the tractive effort, could it have AC traction motors installed and new microprocessors etc? I know a decent amount about locomotives (Engines and all) as I am diesel truck nut. But is something like this feasable? What would I have to do to my Athearn Genesis models if they recieved ac traction or possibly EMD710s? Just throw some ideas at me if you guys would like. Will be some fun projects, I currently have more ACes and ES44ACs being finished in GRS paint I will post up soon along with some possible heritage schemes.
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Post by simulatortrain on Feb 6, 2015 18:19:34 GMT -5
You probably know, but fixing frame cracks is not a trivial thing. Even if you fix all the cracks that are there now, there will always be new ones to get. By rebuilding such a unit, you're risking creating a class of shop queens.
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Post by emd16645 on Feb 6, 2015 21:06:29 GMT -5
You probably know, but fixing frame cracks is not a trivial thing. Even if you fix all the cracks that are there now, there will always be new ones to get. By rebuilding such a unit, you're risking creating a class of shop queens. The typical solution for Guilford would be to buy the engines, slap some paint on them, and then run em into the ground without any major repairs. Instead of a class of shop queens, they have an entire fleet... So go for it!!! |
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Post by guilford681 on Feb 7, 2015 2:52:30 GMT -5
You probably know, but fixing frame cracks is not a trivial thing. Even if you fix all the cracks that are there now, there will always be new ones to get. By rebuilding such a unit, you're risking creating a class of shop queens. The typical solution for Guilford would be to buy the engines, slap some paint on them, and then run em into the ground without any major repairs. Instead of a class of shop queens, they have an entire fleet... So go for it!!! HAHA, yes exactly. Anyway, like the category says, this is freelance aka what if or fantasy. So as much as I know once a frame is junk its pretty much junk... I dont care, i love these units and would love to pretend they made it till 2015. Maybe ill have had them rebuild/build a new frame lol |
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Post by guilford681 on Feb 7, 2015 2:54:56 GMT -5
You probably know, but fixing frame cracks is not a trivial thing. Even if you fix all the cracks that are there now, there will always be new ones to get. By rebuilding such a unit, you're risking creating a class of shop queens. The typical solution for Guilford would be to buy the engines, slap some paint on them, and then run em into the ground without any major repairs. Instead of a class of shop queens, they have an entire fleet... So go for it!!! And come to think of it, pretty sure the SD9043macs already are starting with this problem yet NS just bought 100 they plan to rebuild someday. Although the DDA40Xs had millions of miles on them by the time of their retirement lol. I wonder what they did to the excursion unit that still runs? They must have the frame in tip top shape? |
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Post by MitchGDRMCo on Feb 7, 2015 10:46:36 GMT -5
Frames can be fixed, in terms of the NS SD90s they've had the frame cracking repaired (as the cracking occured in the same place on all units it's possible to fix the issue and have it not show up again).
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Post by poweredby251 on Feb 7, 2015 19:57:24 GMT -5
I doubt the lighter track prevalent on the eastern railroads would support the stress of those 4 axle trucks and the heavy weight of these large locos. Most smaller roads didn't have good luck with even C-C locomotives, although B&M and MEC ran E-units, and D&H had C-628's, U-30-C's and U-33-C's, and the 3 SD-45 ex-demos. But perhaps a few of the heaviest used lines could be whipped into shape and a few D-D engines used.......
John |
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Post by emd16645 on Feb 9, 2015 7:57:54 GMT -5
Guilford has rostered over 100 6-axle units throughout its history (approximately 25% of the historic roster). Currently, they own 20 rebuilt SD40-2s (including SD40 through SD45-2 cores), plus several NS SD40-2s on lease. Regular operations support a variety of modern power on unit coal, grain and intermodal trains. Also, trains SEPO/POSE uses CSX power to Portland, ME, usually GEVOs.
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Post by iomalley on Feb 9, 2015 10:17:52 GMT -5
Don't forget, that the DDs have the highest wheel loading of any diesel, (Imagine one GP35 resting on 2 parking spots) so your track has to be impeccable! (in theory anyway)
How about a diorama somewhere on your layout of your DD rolling a section of rail over and Hulcher coming to the rescue? Would sure like to see one in grey/orange!
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Post by MitchGDRMCo on Feb 9, 2015 14:05:29 GMT -5
Riiiiiiight. Facts time?
From what I've found, a DDA40X weighs ~267t. Gives a 33.375t axle load. The heaviest SD40-2s were around 420,000lbs which is 190.5t. Results in a 31.6t axle load. 2t isn't a whole lot, especially if the DDA40X doesn't run as fast as the SD40-2 but that defeats the gearing they came with.....
Just to add, a CSX 'heavy' CW44AH's axle load is 32.6t and they're found on alot of tight and twisting branchlines in coal country. Considering the weight of freight cars nowadays running something that heavy probably wouldn't be a problem, the rail infrastructure would be capable of carrying big loads anyway.
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Post by MitchGDRMCo on Feb 9, 2015 19:38:09 GMT -5
I've been up all night so I probably haven't gotten my point across.....
Per axle it's 2t heavier than most of what Guilford would have seen on it's rails. With the current US rolling stock being at the 286,000lbs mark (130t) the infrastructure would be able to handle the 32.5t axle loads of these wagons, meaning, the DDA40X could run on those lines.
If GRS can handle the current standard US rolling stock then it's track is as good as CSX's is in terms of load carrying ability. Now in terms of aesthetic appearance....
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Post by PVRR 2647 on Feb 9, 2015 21:07:19 GMT -5
Guilford681~
This post is just to good for me to pass up, You need to build a Centennial painted for Guilford. Maybe you can use it to pull the OCS or something. Getting back to your original query I wouldn't change the prime movers out for 710s because adapting the associated cooling for them would be a nightmare, the added weight/space of the inverters would be a real challenge too. Stick with the 645s they are the best sounding engine that EMD made ever.
PVRR2647
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Post by simulatortrain on Feb 10, 2015 9:33:14 GMT -5
Frames can be fixed, in terms of the NS SD90s they've had the frame cracking repaired (as the cracking occured in the same place on all units it's possible to fix the issue and have it not show up again). It's different if they always crack in the same place. Is that the nature of the DD cracks? |
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Post by emd16645 on Feb 10, 2015 10:12:49 GMT -5
I've been up all night so I probably haven't gotten my point across..... Per axle it's 2t heavier than most of what Guilford would have seen on it's rails. With the current US rolling stock being at the 286,000lbs mark (130t) the infrastructure would be able to handle the 32.5t axle loads of these wagons, meaning, the DDA40X could run on those lines. If GRS can handle the current standard US rolling stock then it's track is as good as CSX's is in terms of load carrying ability. Now in terms of aesthetic appearance.... Guilford regularly hosts the CSX ES44AH you reference. There are usually 4-5 on system at any given time. |
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spike
Chairman
They say I can't be Spike anymore, so Mr. Burns it is!
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Post by spike on Feb 10, 2015 15:35:21 GMT -5
Just look at it spread the rail from lack of good ties going through Lowell Jct.! Same at N. Chelmsford.
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Post by emd16645 on Feb 10, 2015 16:18:53 GMT -5
I didn't claim the track is in good condition, only that they ran those engines!
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spike
Chairman
They say I can't be Spike anymore, so Mr. Burns it is!
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Post by spike on Feb 11, 2015 2:06:26 GMT -5
I do admit that a couple DD40s might look good climbing out of Fitchburg, and up around Ashburnham Curve.
Spike
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tingoat
Road Foreman
Ignorant Know-It-All
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Post by tingoat on Feb 11, 2015 14:56:41 GMT -5
Where EMD used D trucks GE used Span Bolsters with a pair of B trucks.
Just for fun, I was thinking that you could replace the D trucks with C trucks and split the fuel tank in half to squeeze a B or C truck in the middle with a bolster that allows lateral movement.
That would spread the load and support the middle of the frame.
Or, maybe a span bolster at each end with a combo B-C
Either way, you can reduce the axle loading with the addition of one or two more axles.
CBC (Still 8 axle)
CCC (9 axle)
B+C-C+B (10 axle)
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Post by guilford681 on Feb 11, 2015 22:17:01 GMT -5
Lots of really really good feedback and information thank you guys. As for track conditions, with my fantasy Guilford as a class one(the kept the D&H and joined the conrail split and own some other lines) all the track in maine is upgraded to take all modern power and loads. And honestly I am at one of the crappier lines in Maine where I go to school right near bangor, and they have had six axel BNSF power all the way up here, so even though their lines suck today up here on district one they can apparently still handel huge locomotives.... As for the engine internals for my dd40, I think I will keep the 645s, as mentioned switching to 710s would probably mean redesigning the whole locomotive. I think I am going to pretend they went through another frame strengthing overhaul at Waterville, and recieved modernized electronics along with tractive control etc, so that they out perform or are even with modern units such as (ACe/Gevo) in tractive effort. I also remember reading somewhere the unit that UP actual still uses had its cab upgraded to actually be very safe for crashes like modern cabs, so I think ill pretend Waterville did that as well.
Now for you guys that know Guilford, I am pretending they kept open/rebuilt the mountain division (through the white mountains from Portland ME to Vermont). So maybe Ill have these in DPU service over the mountain?
For paint schemes, I have a fantasy "white boxcar scheme" I use, also the classic GRS scheme pretty much, so I think some will be in the grey and some in the new white scheme. I really love doing dirty beat up patch jobs too, so I may patch one or two like it was done in say the 90s so they will look nasty.
For radio DPU like modern locomotives, should I add a GPS dome, maybe PTC? I also want to add an AC unit to all of them. Maybe a plow.
Maybe Ill make a B unit as well, either remove the cab and add long hood or Ill cover the windows...
I am always so full of different directions to go in, I am very indecisive about my fantasy Guilford hence while I still have not quite gotten around to writing its "story".
Thanks guys
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Post by emd16645 on Feb 12, 2015 6:01:21 GMT -5
I would shy away from using the DDs on the Mountain Division. I think the curvatures would be too much. I don't believe the line can handle SDs, so the larger truck would probably be a no-go.
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