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Re: E9A & B on the "San Joaquin" May 1974
Author: OPRRMS
Date: 01-14-2009 - 18:50
Stevo del Applegato Wrote:
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> Thanks for the info, OPRRMS. I wasn't aware of the
> degree of differences. However, with Amtrak using
> the Es on 5 & 6 for a few years, I'm guessing West
> Oakland still ended up servicing them.
"Servicing" is generally considered to be what's required between runs; i.e., adding fuel, engine and boiler water, oil, sand, changing brake shoes, cleaning the cab, etc. Any locomtoive facility can do that.
The problem with the E's was that they came without instructions - the wiring prints I mentioned earlier. And what prints Oakland was sent that were supposed to be the correct ones often differed from the acutal wiring in the locomotive This made them hard to troubleshoot.
Oakland had no problem doing the servicing, FRA inspections, and minor repairs, but electrical problems were often more challenging, and sometimes required a trial-and-error approach.
> One could safely assume the Los Angeles shops were
> more comfortable with the Es.
Probably. The last of SP's E9's (#6053) had been retired in 1970, so there were still Mechanical Department employees there who were familiar with them.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks for the info, OPRRMS. I wasn't aware of the
> degree of differences. However, with Amtrak using
> the Es on 5 & 6 for a few years, I'm guessing West
> Oakland still ended up servicing them.
"Servicing" is generally considered to be what's required between runs; i.e., adding fuel, engine and boiler water, oil, sand, changing brake shoes, cleaning the cab, etc. Any locomtoive facility can do that.
The problem with the E's was that they came without instructions - the wiring prints I mentioned earlier. And what prints Oakland was sent that were supposed to be the correct ones often differed from the acutal wiring in the locomotive This made them hard to troubleshoot.
Oakland had no problem doing the servicing, FRA inspections, and minor repairs, but electrical problems were often more challenging, and sometimes required a trial-and-error approach.
> One could safely assume the Los Angeles shops were
> more comfortable with the Es.
Probably. The last of SP's E9's (#6053) had been retired in 1970, so there were still Mechanical Department employees there who were familiar with them.
