I'm curious about the inner workings of the prototype of my new loco: EMD SD40-2. Mainly, what is the purpose of the longer nose in this version, and why is it more commonly used in mountainous terrain? Also, is there a good book currently available on modern diesel locomotives to identify the various doors, panels, lights, fans, etc on this beast? Thanks again. D6
D6, The longer noses of the SD40-2's were production variations that occurred along the way. I think at least some of the roads ordered the longer noses to put Locotrol equipment in for mid-train helpers, etc. I am an east coaster, so I confess to being not 100% sure about this (My biggest SD40-2 nose variation was the high nose Southern units!) Chessie ------------------ Harold Hodnett Fan of NS, CSX, and their predecessors! Coming soon: The North Carolina Railfan Web Site http://www.trainweb.org/ncrail/
The longer nose was for Locotrol which was never installed on the UP units. I don't no about other roads and their SD40-2 snoots. These unit were phase Ib. The first release of the Kato SD40-2s with a shorter nose were phase Ia.
Try this softcover book from Motorbooks International, available at Borders, Barnes and Noble, B. Dalton, Waldenbooks, etc. ************** Modern Diesel Locomotives by H Halberstadt Soft Bound; 96 pages Jul 1996 ISBN: 0760301999 List Price: $13.95 Description: Exceptional photography captures modern diesel locomotives hard at work moving trains on tracks everywhere from California to Boston. Major railroads are brought to life including the Santa Fe, Union Pacific, Conrail, Southern Pacific, and Burlington Northern. Modern Diesel Locomotives even gets under the skin of the locomotive and shows 12-foot-long diesel engines being rebuilt! Includes a short history of the rise of diesel technology. N Joy Don Brown Tucson AZ USA
The other guys hit the nail on the head when it comes to SD40-2 snoots; the longer short hoods were ordered to have extra room for Locotrol remote control gear(UP's being the exception). Locotrol use in the 70's-80's was marginally successful, at best; SP removed the equipment from their SD40T-2's that were setup with it many years ago. All the long tunnels didn't do much to help in the reception of commands to the helper sets. The current generation of Locotrol(Locotrol III, DPU, whatever you want to call it!), like tha found aboard units like the SD70MAC and AC4400, seems to be much more reliable, thanks to improvements in technology. ------------------ Have A Nice Day!
I think CSX's SD40-2 and SD40R's noses are filled with sand, and srayed to give extra traction. The shorter, low, noded are more common here because.....wel...um...I really don't know!!lol ------------------ TrainBoard.com MEMBER #204 Appalachian & Atlantic Model Railroad "QUALITY at WORK with SAFTEY in MIND"
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by wt&c: I think CSX's SD40-2 and SD40R's noses are filled with sand, and srayed to give extra traction. The shorter, low, noded are more common here because.....wel...um...I really don't know!!lol <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Yep, the low short hood, and a section of the rear hood, contain a sandbox (no, not that kind! ) that stores sand for traction. The engineer (and on newer units, the microprocessor) can apply sand to the rails to boost traction. Also, EMD road unit low short hoods contain that all-important item: a toilet! On low short hood units, it's kind of a tight fit to get into...the entry door for it is on the front inside wall of the cab, and it's kinda short...at least to me. On newer safetycab units, the toilet compartment is somewhat roomier, although they still remind me of an airline lavatory. ------------------ Have A Nice Day!
Don't you just know that steel seat feels good up around New York right now! Br-r-r-r-!! Maybe that's why they let the lady engineers go first. Its warm when its our turn, if you can pry her off! HA! I have heard that on the Norfolk Southern, it takes teamwork. They are still running the plastic bag system, so they have to have an engineer, fireman, and conductor in the cab at all times. One to hold the bag, one to fill it, one to run the train and hold the roll of paper! That's why the NS wengineers hang their heads out the window even in a blizzard! ------------------ Watash #982 [This message has been edited by watash (edited 28 December 2000).]
