UP should make a deal with EMD...maybe something can be done with these.
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Just think; in 50 years or so, people might look back on a photo like this and say these locomotives were this generations "Big Boys". You never know...
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| Posted by on July 30, 2013 | |
they seem awfully new-looking to be junked - what was wrong with this model?
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I spy one GE product and the rest goes to EMD w/SD9043AC's, SD70M's, and a few GP15-1's. The last time I dropped down there it was only four C40-8's, two GP40-2's, and one MP15 parked. Times have indeed changed and so has the need for certain power.
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| Posted by on July 30, 2013 | |
There's a lot of 70's in the picture too.
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Definetly a mixed bag of power here. The C40-8's and MP15's are still too, but they're on the north end of the yard.
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Take it from someone that has a lot of time riding in those, they are junk and I hope they sell them off. They may look cool but they ride like a lumber wagon, they constantly drop the electrical load when you are throttled up, etc etc. Nothing but problems with them.
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Nathan, I remember reading about frames cracking as well.
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| Posted by on July 30, 2013 | |
You all have to realize that the first SD70M's UP actually ordered themselves were delivered in April 2000, they are 13 years old, the ones they got from SP were delivered in 1995, and are 18 years old, the SD9043MAC's were delivered in January 1996 and are almost 20 years old. Most of that time in Coal train service. They are worn out. So it's rebuild time or scrap time. Most of their GE Dash8's are parked or gone, SD60's gone, SD60M's parked. It happens.
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| Posted by on July 30, 2013 | |
SD-90's aren't junk. that's why they are renumbering so many of them and working out any bugs it has. All engines have a bug or two in their lifespan. My father is a Foreman and a Electrician and he loves the 90's. Like I said before all engines have something wrong with them in their lifespans it happens. I've been on one before and they ride very smooth.
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To Chuggalugg45:
The only way to repair a cracked frame is to get a new frame. Plus I doubt UP would wanna sign a contract with EMD and CAT to get all of their SD90MAC fleets frames redone as that will cost lots of money. So with that said, there is not much else to do with these things besides put them in a deadline and put them up for sale and give them to new owners as some SD90's from UP already have done so.
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| Posted by Tugboat on August 1, 2013 | |
We repair cracked frames often. It is a very labor intensive process but it is done. These units have had electrical problems from day one. Mechanically they are really not a bad unit, but with a very long frame leading to the mentioned ride issues, and electrical gremlins I am NOT sorry to see them go.
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I missed ALCO PA, Baldwin Sharks, Erie Builts, E and F units but not these ugly looking boxy diesels. Let them go.
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They should atleast recycle them.
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Sorry but I agree with Nathan J. JUNK. EMD hasn't made a decent road unit since the SD40-2, in this engineer's opinion. There's a reason GE has lead in sales for decades.
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