Here is a couple of links on the GP30. The DB is in the middle of the unit. The blister has to be for the electrical cabinet and air filter. Picture Home
Hi everyone especially Natalie! Forgive me for my ignorance but most, no all, of my railfanning knowledge is centered around the now defunct Southern Pacific, Espee... I know that there are 2 different engine manufacturers: EMD and GE.. are these the only 2? And so if you call something a GP30, that's automatically made by EMD because that's how they classify 4 axle locos, right? Just wondering... I'm trying to keep up with the exchange of info, but I'm so intimidated since a lot of the stuff is over my head!! Natalie , do you have any favorites yet? You'll come to understand that each engine usually has a personality... For example, the SP 9353 is this really beat up, run down engine that everyone has basically scrapped-- they use her parts for other engine parts... SAD!!! but for some reason, the first time I saw this SD 45T-2, something appealed to me-- she's my favorite engine... She's like the Cinderella of the ESPEE family, you know? No one else cares about her, so I've made her my favorite! Also, I really like the wide cab features... Do you prefer the standard cab or the wide cab? Do you like older looking trains (steam) or newer looking ones (diesel)... I don't even know if what i'm asking you is making sense since I know that I"m talking in terms of SP... anyhow, this hobby is kind of fun... i guess I like being challenged and railfans not expecting a female is definitely a challenge for me to know my stuff! it's like walking into a mechanic's garage knowing everything about the car's insides-- they can't mess with ya! happy studying! anna [ 05 April 2002, 03:05: Message edited by: railfan_girlfriend ]
Anna, You've definately got something going on in your head! Yes GP is automatically stating its a diesel with 4 wheels per truck and is made by EMD.... But EMD, and GE isn't the only diesel manufacturers... They are the only 2 thats in ranks of the top. That haven't went out of buessiness or sold out. Their used to be alot of builders.. Such as Baldwin, ALCO, Fairbanks-Morse, Lima... These are old names to say that their diesels didn't stand out like EMD's and GE's did... If your wanting to see a few I can post some links of each type I believe so show what the older ones was... I like the EMD loco's and the old Baldwin locos for diesels... But I'm a purely a steam fanatic and for them builders I'm just as bad I love the old Baldwin and Lima steamers....
Hi John, Which EMD loco is your favorite? Steam engines are cool-- I rode on one last Saturday, SP 2472... Natalie, are you recognizing some of the lingo yet? anna
Hey Anna, Welcome to Back to Basics, I hope that everything we have thrown out at you makes sense....I will try to post some ALCO, LIMA, BALDWIN and Fairbanks Morse Locomotives in the next couple of days. And I will notify Natalie, about your posts. You have the EMD right, EMD and GE had two totally different ways of designating their locomotives. Here is a run down of just a few from each builder. EMD GP9 SD9 GP50 SD60 SD70 GE U30C U25B C44-9 U33C Like I said I will try to post some pictures of other builders as well. John, thanks for your hard work in this and everybody else I appricate it.
Anna my favorite is the GP-30 small I know but I like the way the long hood is done with the HUGE dynamic brake blister that comes out over the top of the hood. Makes the thing look mean and powerfull.... Click on the link on a post up the list a ways that has "GP-30" in red and you'll see what I mean... I also like the SD-7's and SD-9s for being SD's and all and high hooded... Or better known as "High-Nose" But, my real true love and all tyme favorite goes out to the loco pictured in my signature.. The B&O EM-1 "Yellowstone" 2-8-8-4 steam loco. Its about the same as the SP's "Cab-Forwards" only the EM-1 is not turned around backwards... The SP's Cab'Fowards was basically a "backwards" Yellowstone. My favorite loco design is a Yellowstone, but my favorite railroad had them yes, the B&O and they were classed and called "EM-1's". Reason being, they were the biggest steamer on the B&O and also my grandfather was an enginner in one for quite awhile... So it became my favorite being I love the B&O and my grandfather ran one...
Heres my favorite that I was speaking about... The B&O's #7600, EM-1 "Yellowstone" Its the same picture thats in my signature... just enlarged to view.... I didn't want a picture that big in my signature so... But thats the same identical picture just alot bigger... And to compare the EM-1 and the "backwards" Yellowstone.. Heres a picture of the Southern Pacific's "Cab-Forwards" AC-8 [ 05 April 2002, 06:07: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]
John, beautiful shots. The "cab-forwards" were designed by the Southern Pacific or as Anna so affectionatly calls it the Espee. They were used on the SP's lines that had many tunnels. The crews could be sufficated in conventional Steam locomotives, so SP reversed the locomotive and put the cab upfront so all the fumes and smoke went out over the tender and back over the train, and the crew wasn't affected by the fumes There were only about 50 of these locomotives ever built...all for SP. Here are a few American Locomotive COmpany (ALCO) locomotives: ALCO This was one of about 4 builders that didn't make it very far into the diesel building. As the last Alco was built in the 60s [ 08 April 2002, 15:27: Message edited by: BN9900 ]
Hi everyone and Anna Thanks for all your help so far it's been good. Ok Anna answer to your questions umm I like them all so far. You are right about the old ones though, you know some of them remind me of the box cars that were in the X Files lol. By looking at them I prefer the modern types. The very old ones I like mind to lol a couple of them I've seen and they are the Back to the Future kinda train in the movie. And the wide cab ones look better than the standard. Dont know if that made sense but bare with me. Also why do you call them SD GP GE etc. Are they the name of the trains or the sizes or what? Also what does ESPEE mean? LOL I think that's it for now. Thanks for all your help though I still feel as if I know nothing lol it'll get better no doubt.
Here are some Shots of Fairbanks Morse Locomotives. the company is still around but they don't build locomotives any more, they build small engines. Here are some Brutes that were great units, to look at but not so easy to run, they had their flaws. The designation for the FM locomotives blow my mind if any one can help I would appricate it. This is a H24-66 H24-66 The next one is a "Train Master" Train Master There are a few examples on FM locomotives I hope these help picture the difference between the locomotives..More to come!
I saw this page on a site and had to post the link, this is a must read as it may answer a few questions you have about DIESELS! Diesel FAQ Here is the address for that site..really hope it helps...it helped me a great deal. Diesel Information Page
Ok Anna and LWG, Heres a run down on locomotives.. Starting with the company that made them and their abreviation used to identify the company and then I will list the locomotive class from the company... Company names: "G.E." is General Electric, "EMD" is Electro-Motive Division of General Motors, "BWD" is Baldwin Locomotive Works, "ALCO" is American Locomotive Company. "FM" is Fairbanks-Morse. Thats the names behind the abreviations we have used... Now for the explination to the GP/SD/F/ and E prefixes we all use... GP which means either General Purpose, or better known as "Geep" This is a EMD prefix for a loco having a 4 wheeled 2 axle truck on the front and the back. SD which means Special Duty which is also another EMD prefix for having a 6 wheeled 3 axle truck both the front and back. F is a EMD prefix for a covered diesel body with 4 wheels and 2 axle trucks. RS is the prefix used by ALCO for 4 wheeled 2 axled trucks. both front and back. FA is a prefix for ALCO with 4 wheels and 2 axles per truck. This is a covered diesel body loco. The loco's above are frieght locomotives E is another EMD prefix meaning 6 wheeled 3 axle trucks that is a covered diesel body thats for passenger use. PA is a ALCO prefix meaning 6 wheeled 3 axle covered diesel body used for passenger. Guys I know I missed some but I was giving a run down of loco's off the top of my head... Add whatever I missed... Because I know I missed some... [ 05 April 2002, 19:12: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]
Hi there, Thanks for explaining some things I get the company name and abreviations for them and stuff now thanks for clearing that up. LOL but after that I don't know what u said but it sounded good lol. I understood everything up until the point where u said... "Now for the explination to the GP/SD/F/ and E prefixes we all use" LOL then it was bla to me so ok what does all that mean??
You covered alot of them John. Now I am going to take it one step farther with the EMD Es and Fs First the Es and Fs are different not only because Es are for passenger and Fs are freight units. The Es had two engines in the body of the locomotives along with a generator to heat and electrify the passenger cars. They had two engines in them so in case one shut down the train could continue on with the one Engine. The way you can define An E from an F is the E is longer to house the second Engine and Generator. Here is a list of the E-Units that EMD built EA, E2, E3, E4, E5 (Burlington route Exclusive) E6, E7,E8, and E9. The Earlier units EA-E6 had longer noses and had very interesting sides to them. Here is a rundown of each model E UNIT and their horse power (hp) EA,E1 1800 HP EA2 1800 HP E3-E7 2000 HP E8 2250 HP E9 2400 HP I will try to find pictures show the differences in their outer looks. EA2 E3 E4 E5 E6 E7 Here is a E-unit booster or "B" UNIT E7B Ok, I have to use my favorite railroad the BN and it's 1 predicessor known for the sleekest Es running west! Here we have an E8/9 as they were delived to the Chicago Burlington and Quincy in 64-66 E9A Here are two more shots of E9s one is BN3 EX BN9919 and the other is NYS&W 2400 ex bn9921. BN3 shows what modifications were done in 1973. NOTICE NO PORTHOLES. E9A BN-3 NYSW 2400 I am listing 3 pictureS for the E8/E9 Units. They are all E9sbut the only way to tell between E8s and 9s is look real close to the head light. One is placed in a gasket (E8) and the other is welded in place (E9) The pictures are of a 2400 hp E9s The F units were built starting in 1936 with the first ones being called FTs EMD built a FT demonstator set: the configuration was A-B-B-A. An A unit is a locomotive with a cab and controls for the Engineer..the B stands for Booster and has no cab or controls. (E 5-9 locomotive Models were also built in the "B" unit Style.) The Success of the FTs on it's national tour made headlines in the papers of the day. Diesels had a strong first impression...but WW2 Loomed on the horizon in Europe so the nation went to building war Materials and the railroads went on doing what they do best, hauling freight and passengers all over the nation to where they needed to be. After the war, the railroads turned once again to diesel power and most of the railroads (except Southern and Norfolk Western) dieselized within 10-12 years after the end of the war. There was some steam suriving in the back country in middle america, or deep in the mountians, but that was it by 60. EMD Produced the "F" Unit Series and here is the run down on the evolution of these units FT F2 F3 F5 F7 F9 Here is a link to a picture of an SP&S F7 locomotive, the most popular F unit of them all. F7A I hope that this has helped you recognize the difference between EMD Es and Fs. [ 06 April 2002, 04:14: Message edited by: BN9900 ]
Clayton, If my memory serves me right, The last B&O steamer lost fire in 1960 and was scraped in 1961! This was the end of the line for the B&O's best... The #7600 EM-1! It was build mainly for heavy tonnage frieght but from 1958 to 1960 it was all dulled up and graphite put on the smoke box and boiler front and was put into passenger service... And even then, the B&O had dieselized the Sand Patch grade! Which is amazing to this veryday... The had ordered 125 "Big Sixes" as the B&O called them out of Cumberland, MD. They were used as helpers on the Sand Patch grade out of Cumberland and was stationed at Hyndman, PA to asist the trains going up the east slope being the worst grade to cross the continental divide. So they pared up the "Big Sixes" for this task. The term "Big Sixes" actually means, a B&O 2-10-2, steam loco, they classes from class "S", "S-1", and "S-1a". The reason they called them "Big Sixes" is because for one, they were BIG, and for 2 their cab numbers always began with "6". The notable part of these loco's was for the fact that they were dominate on the Sand Patch grade.... They were never out done in power, not even for the articulated steamers and true Mallet type steamers... The 2 of them coupled together on the rear of any train going up the mountain had more Tractive effort then a N&W Y6b 2-8-8-2!!!! They were strong and powerfull by them self! But they always ran them in 2's up the grade when in helper service... The only loco for them to fall prey to was the diesel... And even today they are still having trouble with the Sand Patch grade with diesels... Its a nasty ever twisting winding 2.44% grade...
John, Don't know much about the Eastern Steamers but if I remember correctly the UP Big Boys were rated at 6000 HP..The first ROAD diesel.....1500 (first Switcher 600 hp) talk about Downgrading in the HP Dept. But they did make up for it with alot of other aspects. [ 08 April 2002, 15:33: Message edited by: BN9900 ]
Here's a nice old RS3 in Amtrak paint. Nice weathering and a neat number! http://gelwood.railfan.net/other/amtk/amtk123a.jpg
Here is a classic old GG1. They ran for 50 years and were retired by New Jersey Transit in 1984! Many are in the hands of collectors now. http://gelwood.railfan.net/other/amtk/amtk905bgs.jpg
This yard map will show you how intense big yards can be! It's more than meets the eye! SELKIRK, NY; CSX http://www.crisny.org/not-for-profit/railroad/se_trk.gif
Back in the old days, trailers on flatcars were called PIGGYBACKS. http://www.modelintermodal.com/boz_200785.htm Then we got fancy and started calling them TOFC's or TRAILERS ON FLATCARS. Then we got really fancy and started calling them BI-MODEL. Containers are called COFC's, or CONTAINERS ON FLATCARS. And another thing the railroads did was take an old concept and we made it work. http://www.triplecrownsvc.com/Bimodal.html
