bowline
Probationary Member
Posts: 12
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Post by bowline on Sept 17, 2013 15:48:21 GMT -5
I am freelancing a mid 80's regional that took over operations of abandoned former Central of Georgia (Southern) lines in SE Alabama. The whole collection of lines is in pretty bad shape and is stapped for cash. It operates over ancient rail with many speed restrictions along the line. I am re-thinking my roster for this line and would appreciate some suggestions. I can give a more detailed history of operations if you want but basically, the line exists to serve the remaining customers that were left stranded when Southern pulled the plug. There are scattered peanut processing facilities, wood yards, lumber mills, feed mills, some bauxite minining operations and a small farm equipment manufacturing operations. The original stretch of line is from Ozark, AL to Clayton, AL and is about 35 miles. Further aquisition of lines has brought the total up to about 120 miles by, say, 1988. My original idea for a roster included well worn GP7/9s, SW7s, GP30s and the like. However, I really have a place in my heart for early 6-axle EMD (SD7/9 through SD35). I already have a SD35 that I started but now am thinking that these SDs might seem out of place on such an operation. Is there justification for using them other than just liking 6-axles. Any input would be great. Thanks!
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Post by upguy1981 on Sept 17, 2013 15:59:29 GMT -5
I think so I live in oklahoma and there is a short line here called AOK and there track is bad and they use six axle locomotives
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Post by CP_8530 on Sept 17, 2013 18:17:47 GMT -5
IIRC, SP used their SD7/SD9's on a lot of light rail branchlines out west. Certainly doable.
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Post by tjmfishing on Sept 17, 2013 20:43:19 GMT -5
Take a glance at the light branchlines in Maritime Canada, particularly PEI and NS (Anapolis Valley) Initially, Fairbanks Morse H-16-64's were used post dieselization, running on six axles. They were replaced by the RSC-13's and RSC-24's built by the Montreal Locomotive Works. They ran on Flexicoil A-1-A trucks where the center axle was unpowered. Finally, RSC-14's replaced the -24's and -13's. The -14's were modified MLW RS-18's which rode on the trucks of the retired -13's and -24's, with a reduced fuel capacity as well as horsepower. The lines were abandoned and the RSC-14's retired shortly thereafter.
The same story happened on the light prairie branchlines, where GMD-1's built by EMD (General Motors Diesel Division) running again on similar A-1-A's hauled 40' boxcars loaded with grain from Canada's breadbasket.
It has been done in the past. Good luck and a great idea!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2013 20:48:16 GMT -5
By all means use them. Right in line with a current shortline that I am basing a good portion of my operation off of.
The SKOL. When I visited that line a few years back, they were running ex N&W SD40's htat they purchased at scrap prices. The rail was so bad that the speed was restricted to 10 mph. At least in the area I was visiting. These SD40's were in pretty bad shape. They are all gon enow, but they got the railroad running. Your line could easily have doen the same thing. Purchased these old relics at scrap prices. It is very believeable.
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Post by bdhicks on Sept 18, 2013 1:19:16 GMT -5
When DME started in the mid 80s, they picked up 18 SD9s from CNW, 17 SD10s from MILW, and 5 GP9s from NW.
While many early SDs were used for pulling heavy freight at low speed, they could also be ordered configured for lower axle loading to use on lighter branchlines.
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bowline
Probationary Member
Posts: 12
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Post by bowline on Sept 18, 2013 9:57:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the info guys. I know there have been plenty of 6 axle motors on small lines but just wanted to get some thoughts on it. I have always modeled SCL/SBD/Early CSX but the idea of proto feelance has intrigued me. I love the historical aspect and still being able to create something on your own. That said, I want my freelance concept to be believable to the point that someone may have to google it to make sure that I am not following a prototype. That is why I am asking questions. You guys have gotten this proto freelance thing down to a science! I would really appreciate more input as I continue to develope my concept. Thanks again.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2013 10:05:34 GMT -5
You should look no further than the Milwaukee Road SDL39: Designed and built for light rail branches.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using proboards
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2013 10:23:05 GMT -5
When I was at the St. Louis RPM, I was asked a number of times if the Copper State Railway was a real railroad. It was quite fun.
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Post by lyled1117 on Sept 18, 2013 10:41:13 GMT -5
This may only be minorly limited to your concerns about 6-axle loading, but .... I have read where some short-lines would shut down certain locomotives in a consist to cross old/suspect bridges so that the driver loading was reduced, once across the bridge back up to power. They had the bigger locomotives and wanted/needed to use them, but had to disable them in certain locations and circumstances.
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Post by iomalley on Sept 19, 2013 8:38:44 GMT -5
That's very true, as is using a flat car between locos to spread the weight. There is a couple bridges CN runs on around London that require a full stop before entering the bridge, and no braking on the bridge either. The back forth motion of stopping would further damage the ricketty structure, especially with the ethanol tanks that are usually on this train. CN puts little $$ into secondary lines.
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Post by lyled1117 on Sept 19, 2013 9:40:10 GMT -5
While not directly related to the subject, 2 days ago a bridge collapsed under a KJRY train near Peoria, IL. The locos were across the bridge at least so no crew injury. Two of the locos were f-units (former Algoma Central units) so railfans are also pleased the locos didn't end up in the river. Tank cars of corn syrup did. The bridge is reported to be over 100 years old
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Post by jmlaboda on Sept 19, 2013 11:11:18 GMT -5
Four of the CG's SD35s were over 10,000# lighter than the rest of the fleet so that they could be used on the Savannah line past Macon, hauling coal for a power plant near there. Will have to do some digging to see which units were the lite ones...
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Post by jmlaboda on Sept 19, 2013 11:15:41 GMT -5
It was CG 215, 218, 219 and 224. Ironically the CG SD7 and SD9s were about 5,000# heavier than these units.
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Post by m a y o r 79 on Sept 19, 2013 12:56:35 GMT -5
You should look no further than the Milwaukee Road SDL39: Designed and built for light rail branches. Sent from my GT-I9100 using proboards Ya beat me to it. The Milwaukee SDL39's were built for exactly what you are describing. They didn't need high horsepower units, but they needed to spread the weight over more axles, hence the SDL. I believe they replaced old RSC locomotives. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2013 16:36:08 GMT -5
You should look no further than the Milwaukee Road SDL39: Designed and built for light rail branches. Sent from my GT-I9100 using proboards Ya beat me to it. The Milwaukee SDL39's were built for exactly what you are describing. They didn't need high horsepower units, but they needed to spread the weight over more axles, hence the SDL. I believe they replaced old RSC locomotives. I think your right, I think they did replace the RSC's, which, in turn were built for the same reason, though not specifically for the Milwaukee. Sent from my GT-I9100 using proboards |
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Post by jmlaboda on Sept 20, 2013 7:13:20 GMT -5
You could also consider thinking outside the box... In addition to the SDL39, EMD exported SDL38s for anyone who did not want a turbocharger (equals more maintenance) and SDL50s. (Links embedded in the model designations.) Something else to consider is the rebuilds done for Brazil. Newer secondhand power could be rebuilt from B-B configuration to C-C though you would take a hit in regards to the fuel capacity. For shorter routes such would not be as much of a problem. |
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Post by m a y o r 79 on Sept 20, 2013 12:28:01 GMT -5
Good point Jerry, there's no reason any of the export models that EMD created couldn't have been used state side. It's just a matter of the wheel gauge. Would definitely make for some interesting prototypes to model.
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Post by poweredby251 on Sept 22, 2013 23:35:44 GMT -5
Using the 39 series turbo'd 12 cyl engine on the SDL-39 cut down on both engine weight and length, allowing more weight savings by allowing a shorter frame and body. They also used light weight export trucks, which are what makes these a more difficult loco to model. John You should look no further than the Milwaukee Road SDL39: Designed and built for light rail branches. Sent from my GT-I9100 using proboards Ya beat me to it. The Milwaukee SDL39's were built for exactly what you are describing. They didn't need high horsepower units, but they needed to spread the weight over more axles, hence the SDL. I believe they replaced old RSC locomotives. |
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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 Sept 23, 2013 22:00:28 GMT -5
There was a post in the EMD section on kitbashing a SD28.It belonged to a southern shortline. The unit had a small fuel tank.
At work we run AC4400s on 90# rail in the yard.
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