Re: Best and worst Diesel locomotive to operate my vote hasn't changed...
Author: Chris Walker
Date: 04-01-2016 - 16:22
Thanks Bob,
I wonder how that was for the UP drivers as the BB+BB setup was used under the Turbines first and re-used on their U50s afterward. Those locos were operated at speed for years. I've never seeen anything from a UP drivers perspective yet. At a glance that equipment blower right behind the cab would have made for some noise.
Our GE DX(ng U28C) had the front Bogie well back under the cab so under speed and braking really danced around compared with the smoother riding GMD's. Running 55 on passenger meant every sharp curve 25/30 needed the enginebrakes be used as well adding some bounce to the "dance". Your comments about the fumes, well we (Driver's union) banned the DX from being operated longhood leading except in emergencies :)
From what I've read, the SP had some really strange management pracices that shot you guy's in the foot a lot. If some Yard foreman told us to use a DX on a shunt service then he'd get a kicking from way up in the Chief Mechanical Engineers office.
thanks again.
Chris
in New Zealand