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Re: Chicago METRA to get Passenger version SD70MACs
Author: Hot Water
Date: 02-22-2019 - 13:26
Another Reason Wrote:
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> One might wonder if such a big, heavy locomotive
> with C-C trucks is a good move in passenger
> service. For commuter trains that seldom exceed 60
> or 70mph, and have lots of stops and starts, it's
> probably OK as long as there aren't a lot of sharp
> curves to negotiate. Better adhesion than B-B and
> more starting and dynamic braking power. And they
> did have those F40C's, right? The size, of course,
> will probably lead to amusing pictures of off-peak
> 2 or 3 car trains where the locomotive looks like
> 1/2 the length of the train from certain angles...
Don't forget that these units are equipped with the Radial Truck, i.e. HTC-R, and bear no relation to previous 3 axle trucks when it comes to "trackability". Those SD70MAC units have seemed to be working VERY well, up in Alaska also.
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> One might wonder if such a big, heavy locomotive
> with C-C trucks is a good move in passenger
> service. For commuter trains that seldom exceed 60
> or 70mph, and have lots of stops and starts, it's
> probably OK as long as there aren't a lot of sharp
> curves to negotiate. Better adhesion than B-B and
> more starting and dynamic braking power. And they
> did have those F40C's, right? The size, of course,
> will probably lead to amusing pictures of off-peak
> 2 or 3 car trains where the locomotive looks like
> 1/2 the length of the train from certain angles...
Don't forget that these units are equipped with the Radial Truck, i.e. HTC-R, and bear no relation to previous 3 axle trucks when it comes to "trackability". Those SD70MAC units have seemed to be working VERY well, up in Alaska also.
