I just picked up a set of Details West's new HO steerable sideframes - I've been waiting for someone to offer these parts for years, ever since CSX first received the first unit equipped with them - the second picture Harold posted shows these trucks. If you're an HO modeler, definitely check them out - they look great. [ 28 February 2002, 17:23: Message edited by: drolsen ]
Wow! I did not even notice the difference in the trucks! You guys know more about my pictures than I do Harold
I'm pretty certain that CSX 201 was the first unit to arrive with these trucks. For some reason there are about 25 ACs missing from the number sequence, numbers 174-200. 173 was the last unit delivered with the regular Hi-Ad trucks. The CW60ACs were initially delivered with Hi-Ads (CSX 600-602), and then the main order, starting with 603, came with steerable trucks One interesting thing is that CSX 600 and 601 were being used to test GE's Generation II steerable truck - there was a good article in Diesel Era about this a year or two ago. I believe 600 had regular Gen I trucks and 601 had the Gen IIs - the two units were teamed together around the Grafton, WV area so the performance of the trucks could be compared. The Gen IIs are interesting-looking, much more "open" in appearance than the Gen Is, but both still look very complicated compared to EMD's radial trucks. Hope that helps,
Thanks Dave, I had not realised there were two types! The EMD ones definitely look simpler, maybe the complicated bits are hidden behing the frames
This might be totally off the mark, but I seem to remember hearing somewhere that the EMDs were a really ingenious, simple design, but because of the EMD patent, GE had to come up with a more complicated design to avoid infringing on the patent. Not sure how true that is... Have a good weekend everyone!
Dave, I know you are right about when the new trucks started appearing on the regular production of the AC's. However, I think that units 1, 2, and 3 were retrofitted with a test version of this style truck several months before they went on the regular production units. Not 100% sure if I have the right unit numbers but I do remember reading something about the testing somewhere.
Richard - I'm quite sure you're right about those units - I've definitely seen photos of those units equipped with steerable trucks, and it would make sense for them to test them before making them standard on the later production units. Thanks for pointing that out!
