Always wondered why the MILW's first order of GP38's (5 or 6 units I believe) did not have dynamic brakes, but all subsequent orders had them. Who knows the answer? Any theories? Thanks.
Although I haven't seen anything written on this subject, I have my suspicions. Most likely MILW purchased the non-dynamic GP38s to replace GP7s and GP9s in the Midwest, units that never went west of Harlowton, and therefore didn't need dynamics. After this purchase MILW likely decided that the extra flexibility in locomotive assignments was worth the extra cost of dynamic brakes, and added them to subsequent purchases. Sound good? Pat
This is also supported by the small fuel tanks on the units, presumably required by the small load requiments of brack trackage.
I'd say that this might be an interesting possibility. I'll meander a little here. Milw had no GP7's. And they weren't retiring any of their GP9's at the time. But they were getting rid of some older units. Such as some F units. Plus, the bad order ratio may have been swinging up a little as some first generation power was getting rather old by May of 1973. When the first order of GP38-2 (350-355) were delivered. It is interesting to note where the non-dynamic GP38-2 were first assigned. To the Rocky Mountain Division! On what had once been known officially as the Northern Montana Division. (The grain lines north of Harlowton.) Which were nicknamed the North or Northern Montana Line or Lines. Depending on who has an opinion. And there were some decent grades there. The north end of one grade can be seen in the Pentrex Video series, where a train is seen heading north(timetable west.) Coming down off Oka Hill. And then there follows, a telephoto view that shows just how much the terrain actually rolls up, and down. This train is unfortunately misidentified as #801. At the time this film was shot, Summer of 1973, this was #163. The TNDS (Train Number Designation System) was not changed until after the electrification ended. The TNDS changeover date was December 1, 1974. Guess that's enough rambling for now! Boxcab E50 [ 11. February 2003, 06:24: Message edited by: BoxcabE50 ]
Actually, the place they were assigned when new, on the Rocky Mountain Division, was one of the most lucrative parts of Lines West. There was plenty of seasonal grain tonnage coming down to Harlowton. But also, at the time there was a lot of copper smelting at Great Falls. The ore concentates, and the supplies necessary to refine, are heavy loads. Rail weights, and track conidtions at the time, were very adequate for handling these shipments. Probably the only way we'd know for certain, is to find someone from the appropriate position in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Or be so blessed as to locate some paperwork. It would be interesting to know. Boxcab E50
