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Post by jmlaboda on Jul 6, 2014 14:40:21 GMT -5
Speaking of HEP generators and more specifically a separate car for such (be it a depowered locomotive or railcar) there have been some very interesting cars built over the last 3 decades. Amtrak built several HEP generator cars early on so that the SDP40Fs could power consists with newer and rebuilt cars. Five were rebuilt from St. Louis Car Co. streamlined troop kitchen cars while three were rebuilt from old (actually very old) Union Pacific coaches acquired from Autoliner. Several others were rebuilt from baggage cars with the indicator of the conversion was grills on the roof's edge... AMTK 686AMTK 689AMTK 691CVSR 688AMTK 694GMRC 9105 Likewise a number of railroads have built cars for use with their executive car fleet and a number of shortlines have built cars as well... GCRX 460 rebuilt from CN/VIA steam generator car. GCRX 480 rebuilt from CN/VIA steam generator car. PAL 10 from General American Pfaudler milk car. Like cabooses??? The Great Smoky Mountain Rwy. has two rebuilt as HEP generator cars. GSMR 2448 ex-L&N baywindow caboose. GSMR 6118 ex-L&N baywindow caboose. There are some interesting options in regards to HEP cars.
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sgoti
Chairman
Posts: 459
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Post by sgoti on Jul 6, 2014 18:17:46 GMT -5
This car is one of my favorite HEP oddballs!
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Post by jmlaboda on Jul 6, 2014 19:31:38 GMT -5
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Post by simulatortrain on Jul 7, 2014 18:00:46 GMT -5
I like this idea- I'll be watching where it goes.
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Post by acollins on Jul 7, 2014 22:26:55 GMT -5
Those are some interesting critters. Thanks for sharing.
I believe I have settled on the SDP35s will be rebuilt and have HEP installed as the primary business train power, there may be a power car of some sort in the future.
With all this discussion, some very neat ideas have be voiced and taken into consideration.
With the rebuild plans in motion, they both will be classed as SDP35Qs. They will be "rebuilt" similarly to WC 2500 (totally forgot about it). They will both also recieve Canadian details (low headlight, numberboard mounted bell, snowshields, winterization hatches, etc).
The SG compartment will be modified in kind of have a diesel HEP unit added. They will have HEP plugs on either end as a just in case setup, but will be turned most of the time. In the event they are on one of the branches were there are no turning facilities, they will either lead long nose first or will have a second unit on the other end.
I will be posting updates in the rebuilt EMD section once there is some pictures to be shared.
Thanks for everyones input on this guys.
Thanks,
Alex
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sgoti
Chairman
Posts: 459
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Post by sgoti on Jul 7, 2014 22:43:37 GMT -5
Once had an idea for a "Power Pack" type setup for my road- HEP generator powered by a Caterpillar diesel engine.
Marketing name would have been...
Wait for it...
"HEP-CAT"!
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milw199
Superintendent
Beaded crossbucks FTW
Posts: 180
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Post by milw199 on Jul 8, 2014 20:17:11 GMT -5
I would suggest leaving them "Americanized". Sounds like the rest of your fleet will have "the London look", having these two different will reinforce their specialness. Or have upper and lower lights in use, Gyralight or similar up top, bell on cab roof like SP used to do. Stick an electronic bell on for good measure too. WSOR E-units were equipped with 1 electronic and 1 brass. Get them well dressed up, pride of the fleet. WSOR roundhouse guys used to wipe down the prime movers of the E-units quite often. The former owner was very image-conscious.
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Post by acollins on Jul 9, 2014 18:15:51 GMT -5
I thought of painting them in a special version of EOQs paint scheme, but since I have limited air brush experience I figure it will be something simple.
As for the rest of the fleet, aside from four SD40-3s that are ex GCFX units rebuilt from CN SD40s, the rest are ex American units. I have thought of adopting a light package like SP or DRGW, or something similar, but I prefer the bell high up to keep them out of the snow in the winter.
So most will either be mounted on the carbody a la CSX, etc or between the numberboards, and headlights will be low mounted to reduce glare in bad weather.
I've also thought of giving them names, as more as a appeal to young children when they are used on "community out reach" trains. Does that seem to far fetched?
Thanks,
Alex
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milw199
Superintendent
Beaded crossbucks FTW
Posts: 180
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Post by milw199 on Jul 9, 2014 19:56:46 GMT -5
High mounted bells are nicer. CSX liked the body mounts by the dynamic housing, which would be appropriate for ex-SAL units. If you want to torque off the crews, mount them in MILW fashion right above the fireman's rear window. Names should be fine. ICE-DME used to name engines for online towns. ROCK had a bunch of names on the last batch for GP38-2s. Low mount headlights aren't much of a necessity I think. Been through plenty of bad weather.
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Post by poweredby251 on Jul 14, 2014 23:36:18 GMT -5
The Milwaukee GP-20's (rblt GP-9's) were rated at 2000hp, and many had long careers, well past the SOO takeover and sell off of older loco's.
John
You wouldn't need cables hanging off the HEP plugs all the time, just have the plugs there. They don't take up much room. In this shot, the HEP plugs are tucked in next to the coupler, partially hidden by the MU hoses. On your railroad, when you get to the end of the line, is there a reverse loop or wye, so the train can get turned, or would you just uncouple the power, run around the train, tie back on, and head back? That's why you would need HEP plugs on both ends. The B-unit with the HEP unit in it would probably be the way to go. Then any engine can couple up and go. Most of the 567s refitted with 645 power assemblies didn't exceed the stock horsepower. The ATSF SD26s, maybe a few other ones did, but most didn't. SD24 (2400 hp) deturboed with 645 assemblies only puts out 2000 hp. WC 2500 ended up being a SD35Q, as it was rebuilt with Q-Tron computer and such, similar to the road's SD45. It received 645 assemblies, but topped out at 2500 hp. Still with DC main gen. Available from NRE: www.nationalrailway.com/locomotives/used-locomotives/2500
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Post by iomalley on Jul 15, 2014 13:21:24 GMT -5
Low mount headlights aren't much of a necessity I think. Been through plenty of bad weather. Low mounted headlights are only good for one thing...drying your work gloves off the hot bulbs.
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