I want to make up a modern to semi-modern diesel lashup. I have my F-units - but I want something newer. I am getting another Dash9, but I think two big Dash-9's will look too wierd lashed up on a 9.75R turn. What other smaller diesels are there that look good lashed up and will manage my tight turns? (I think what I'm looking for are 4-axle diesels instead of 6-axle. Am I right?)
That looks good? In prototype terms , why is the dash-8 a 4-axle while the Dash-9 is a 6-axle. What is the reason behind this? Bigger engines and more traction force?
Atlas makes GP38s and GP40s - Both are still in use. And a: DASH 8-40B [ March 15, 2006, 11:47 AM: Message edited by: Grey One ]
GE hasn't made 4-axle road engines for other than commuter roads and Amtrak in years, since the Dash 8-40B series. The Dash 8 and Dash 9 model designation has nothing to do with how many axles a unit has--it means just this, model designation. The Model designation of Dash 8 generally meant 3900-4000 HP. The Dash 9 series generally meant 4400 HP prime movers. The SD40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 series of EMD has nothing to dao with axle count, just the model series. In this case, the 40 series was generally 3000 HP, the 50's were 3500, the 60's at 3800, the 70's were 4000, and the 80/90's were from 5000, and 4300-6000 HP respectively. The tractive effort of these units varied greatly. The newest AC4400's from GE can outpull EMD SD40-2's on a 3-to-5 basis, IIRC. Technology between the engines ranges 30 years plus, tough. Granted this is a DC vs AC battle, but you get the idea how tractive effort, adhesion (sticking to the rail; how well the wheels grip the railhead) and wheelslip technology has advanced over the years. Also, fuel economy has advanced in spades. An SD45 in throttle notch 8 will burn 194 gallons per hour. An SD70MAC at the same throttle position will burn 191 gallons, but do so making 400 more HP on 4 fewer cylinders than the SD45. Lots more good RR info here: http://www.alkrug.vcn.com/rrfacts/rrfacts.htm HTH! [ March 15, 2006, 12:56 PM: Message edited by: HemiAdda2d ]
Atlas GP30, GP35, GP38, all look good. I really like the GP30, I refer to them as "Quasimodo" Short, 4 axle diesels all, good runners.
I should have clarrified, GE defines a four axle engine with a B and a six axle engine with a C. EMD called their four axle engines GP or General Purpose and six axle SD. GE Dash-840BW = four axle comfort cab EMD SD9 = six axle engine. There are other axle designations too but that is another thread.
I have to agree. I like sets of GP30s, 35s and 40s. I think my favorite hood unit lash ups are the old UP sets of GP30As with two or three GP30Bs on mail trains. As far as cab units go, A-B-A set of Santa Fe or Rio Grande PAs were perfect for a passenger train. I only wish the WP had purchased a set like the Grande did!
I have two atlas 8-40Bs and they pull great. They easily handle 30 40' box cars around my 8'x4' mountainous layout. I have some tight cuves too, both on level track and up some 2 - 2.5% grades and they do it effortlessly even when my cheap Bachmann DC trottle is at 25. The Dash 8-32BHWs also pulls great. verse
Thanks for all the photos and technical descriptions! After looking through them, it seems I am partial to the Dash-840B (I like that flared radiator look at the rear) I really like the Dash-840BW (I am assuming the "W" stands for wide cab) But it seems I can't find them in Southern Pacific.
The F units were traded in on GP35 engines, so if you want to mix in some F units you should keep the other power to GP35 era or before... The "Perlman Mallet" (named after Alfred E. Perlman, the operations officer for many western roads at one time or another), was the name given to four F units with a GP7 or GP9 spliced in the middle. This combination replaced one "mallet" steam engine on mountain drags...
I guess I went off on a tangent... The reason you cannot find them in SP, is SP never owned wide-cab B40-8's... AFAIK, other than Amtrak, only Santa Fe bought the wide cab versions of the B40's, and the GP60's from EMD. Someone correct me if I'm wrong...
A pair of $16 life like GP20s are the best diesels I've ever seen for looking (and running) good on tight radius track. Here is one of them from way back when the manufacturer was blowing them out! [ March 16, 2006, 01:26 AM: Message edited by: Fluid Dynamics ]
Fluid Dynamics - Are those Life-Likes easy to upgrade to DCC? I don't have DCC yet - but expect to get it within the next 2-4 weeks...
