Erik H. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ultamaterailfan Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I hate ES44ACs, ES44DCs and ES44C4s. There
> > everywhere. The Class 1s are dumb for buying so
> > many stupid GEs. Why cant we see more new EMDs
> out
> > there? There so much better. I dont understand
> why
> > the railroads want to make everything boring by
> > buying mostly stupid GEVOs. They dont seem to
> care
> > about variety anymore.
>
> Ask the airlines why they buy so many "dumb"
> Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s...
>
> Railroads don't give a damn about what railfans
> want or variety. Variety doesn't improve profits
> or shareholders return, or reduce costs, or drum
> up business. The average railroad customers has
> no clue what locomotive is on the train that hauls
> their freight - and they don't care.
>
> And on what basis are EMD locomotives better?
> Clearly, the railroads think differently because
> GE is now the commanding leader in locomotive
> sales and has been for years. GE locomotives have
> improved by leaps and bounds since the Dash 7
> series, and even the Dash 8 series. I've heard
> plenty of complaints about EMD models of late,
> especially the ones made in Mexico.
>
> If you want variety, there are plenty of shortline
> railroads that own the stuff the class ones have
> no need to own. Or you can buy your own railroad,
> and then give EMD your business - I'm sure they'll
> gladly sell you a few SD70M-IIs. Prepare to plop
> down $3.5 million a pop - and you're on your own
> for financing.

Erik is spot on...we railroads nor our customers give a damn what railfans/photographers "like".
While we try to accommodate their photography needs we can only do so much!

We shortline operators...like our Class I counterparts...are primarily concerned with customer service and the bottom line. This boils down to POWER to move the traffic!!! TRUE... some of us care what our equipment looks like and are fortunate to be prosperous enough to afford a standardized paint scheme that distinguishes our red/white units from the mass of yellow ones.

That said...the "evil bottom line" dictates that we have reliable motive power with unlimited parts availability and in this case EMD units are king and will last forever. Parts are plentiful for most of our units EXCEPT those with the 567 "B" engine. The past few years have seen two of our switchers retired and one currently being rebuilt due to parts availability on these 50-plus year old prime movers. These "B" engine units were replaced with a pair of newer EMD units, one equipped with 567C and the other 645 power assemblies. A third being repowered with a improved "BC" version removed from a locomotive being dismantled.

Agreed...the shortlines are where you will find the greatest variety of EMD's and very little else.

Dick Samuels
www.oregonpacificrr.com