First off I read somewhere that UP had some for testing. Is it true? Next if they do, how are the units performing? I hope someone knows. Ted
They have five, UP 5695-5699. Read more about them on the following web page. GEVO's You will have to scroll down near the bottom.
This shot is from a link in the above posted URL: A mighty fine looking UP engine, and it's CLEAN!!!!!
I've been on them once. They seemed the same as the C44ACCTE's. Long term, not sure since they haven't been on the property a year yet. I rode them in May IIRC. Greg
Greg Can you tell anything about the way they ran? Did you notice anything about the throttle response?
I wasn't running that trip. I was just on the crew as a pilot. The engineer didn't seem to notice any difference from the usual GE. They, as most of the GE's are, were quiet to ride in. Greg
Greg, Please no offense intended but I live about 180 to 160 feet from CSX East - West double tracks. Locomotives are anything but quiet. Do you mean quieter than other locomotives? Because they all sound loud to me when I am sitting at home watching tv. Of course I have never been in a cab so maybe I am missing something. I have always assumed that engineers wear those earplugs for loud sounds like in factories. Thanks for your response. I think it is awesome that that you have been on one of these new units. [ 15. March 2004, 13:12: Message edited by: Ted Shipley ]
Ted, No offense taken. The federal government has set standards for noise levels. Outside and inside. The cabs on the GE's are quieter than the EMD's. Partly because the exhaust is at the rear of the car body. The new SD70M's are well insulated, and quieter to run than the SD60's or SD40-2's. With that being said, I personally like to run with the windows open. I don't do much talking; if conversation is taking place then the windows are shut. Over all, IMHO the EMD is a nosier engine even when idling. This isn't to say the GE isn't loud, just not as loud. Hope that clarifies it. Greg
So the cabs have insulation to help protect the Engineers. Ok I did not know that. GE is quieter than EMD. Good to know. Besides noise how is the SD70M?
Personally I like the running the SD70M. I've been told they are slippery on grades, meaning the wheels slip and you lose traction. What I did was set some air on the engine brakes, enough to stop the slipping but not the pulling. There is a fine line on how much engine brake to apply. I also found GE's to much slipperier. I like the response of the SD70M's, much smoother and even. The new engines are all slow at loading up and changing directions now days but for me the SD70M is much easier to sit and run while watching the crew on the ground. The first SD60's UP bought are good engines too. It took a few years to work the bugs out but I like running them too. Of all the GE's, the latest ones UP bought, the C44ACCTE's are almost as responsive as the SD70M. If I have a choice though, I'll hope on the SD70M. Greg
Greg that was great information. Thank you for sharing your experience with those engines. I appreciate the time and the courtesy. Sounds like the SD70M is a good engine. Must be why UP keeps ordering them. That C44ACCTE must be pretty good too. May I ask your opinion on the DC traction motor units versus AC tration motor units? I too am interested in the SD70ACe's. They sound interesting. However I also wonder if they won't hurt EMD in the long run since GE has GEVO unit that have only 12 cyclinder prime movers. Too bad the EMD H265 engine didn't work out. If it had then maybe EMD could have made a V12. Ted
I wouldn't count the H265 out yet. I wonder, how much running time does GE have under it's belt with those V-12s? They may not be as solid either.
I haven't heard anything good about the H265 for a year. I don't know anyone who runs them. I have heard that BNSF and UP are using the V12's and were happy. According to GE.
One of the BNSF GEVOz, BNSF (GE) 5730 was towed dead in consist back to Laurel, MT, a few weeks ago--prolly enroute to Havre, MT for repairs. She was dead when she came south into Cheyenne, and was shipped back north where she came from. Dunno what happened, could be a software glitch. She was not even idling, tho....
