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Re: NP to BN 1970 era photo [Edit]
Author: Chris Walker
Date: 10-01-2024 - 12:07
Ross Hall Wrote:
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> NP eventually
> started the practice of putting an SD-45 ahead of
> two GE's and found that to be pretty effective and
> balanced until the GE's started having
> reliablility issues. Crews liked the tighter cabs
> and control stands in the SD-45's and GE's pulled
> better at slower speeds and
> the SD-45's picked up at higher speeds. Overall,
> the consist could make it over the division
> at a higher average speed than three GE's could
> make.
Those NP U25C's rode tri-mounts, crews called them springless chuggers so I'd think crew complaints and griping to the hostlers to have had the 45 on the front as often as possible.
As for the difference in GM and GE loading; you had to watch how you reduced speed for sharp curves on steep grades if ya didn't have a full load, otherwise the GE would die off if the throttle was reduced too far. Older heads elicited wide grins watching the younger guys make that mistake. :)
Chris
in New Zealand.
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> NP eventually
> started the practice of putting an SD-45 ahead of
> two GE's and found that to be pretty effective and
> balanced until the GE's started having
> reliablility issues. Crews liked the tighter cabs
> and control stands in the SD-45's and GE's pulled
> better at slower speeds and
> the SD-45's picked up at higher speeds. Overall,
> the consist could make it over the division
> at a higher average speed than three GE's could
> make.
Those NP U25C's rode tri-mounts, crews called them springless chuggers so I'd think crew complaints and griping to the hostlers to have had the 45 on the front as often as possible.
As for the difference in GM and GE loading; you had to watch how you reduced speed for sharp curves on steep grades if ya didn't have a full load, otherwise the GE would die off if the throttle was reduced too far. Older heads elicited wide grins watching the younger guys make that mistake. :)
Chris
in New Zealand.
