SPAX 52 Repower

[NorthPennLimited]

Just when you were about to put 50's mug shot on a milk carton, now there are bids out to reporter 52.

http://www.septa.org/business/bid/100k/ ... 3-MEC.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It'll be interesting to see how much money goes into repowering a half-century old locomotive, with unproven (non railroad) prime mover.

Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to just scrap the entire white elephant fleet and buy a half-dozen used Geeps, MP-15's , Sw1500's, or F40PH locomotives from the aftermarket like LTEX or Sterling? Isn't it easier on the shop mechanics to have one universal fleet of diesel locomotives with one set of parts?

[scotty269]

http://railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=44685" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[glennk419]

Just when you were about to put 50's mug shot on a milk carton, now there are bids out to reporter 52.

http://www.septa.org/business/bid/100k/ ... 3-MEC.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It'll be interesting to see how much money goes into repowering a half-century old locomotive, with unproven (non railroad) prime mover.

Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to just scrap the entire white elephant fleet and buy a half-dozen used Geeps, MP-15's , Sw1500's, or F40PH locomotives from the aftermarket like LTEX or Sterling? Isn't it easier on the shop mechanics to have one universal fleet of diesel locomotives with one set of parts?

Decent four axle power is becoming increasingly rare and accordingly more expensive. Many old geeps and SW's have been scooped up by the rebuilders and gen set manufacturers. If the frame and trucks are in decent condition, repowering still makes sense as long as it's with a proven prime mover.

[Limited-Clear]

If it's just the bid process it probably will be a while before it's sent out, currently they need 3 for the wash trains and 2 for the wire trains, doesn't leave much room for failures, let alone sending 52 away

[Tadman]

Decent four axle power is becoming increasingly rare and accordingly more expensive. Many old geeps and SW's have been scooped up by the rebuilders and gen set manufacturers. If the frame and trucks are in decent condition, repowering still makes sense as long as it's with a proven prime mover.

Great point. About five years ago I had a railroad manager tell me that good condition non-turbo 4-axle EMD's were selling for 50-100% more than comparable six-axle turbo power (given that we're discussing prior-generation power, not new or class-I). I don't know that the market is in the same pricing model today, but it's a concept worth thinking about.

[jackintosh11]

Why not get a 6-axle engine?

[nomis]

Radius of curves, especially those in Yard areas may be a non-starter without altering the physical plant. Who wants to hear that the new shiny 6-axle loco spends more time on the ground vs on the rails

[BuddCar711]

Why not get a 6-axle engine?

6-axle locos are great for freight (unintentionally made a rhyme) because freights don't have to deal with high-speed operation on tight curves, but lousy for commuter and intercity passenger service (unless you can find track as straight as the Shinkansen, ICE, or I forgot the name of that other bullet line). Those Republic locos that SEPTA has (as lousy as they are) are more desirable than the top-quality 6-axle locomotive today.

[25Hz]

Why not get a 6-axle engine?

6-axle locos are great for freight (unintentionally made a rhyme) because freights don't have to deal with high-speed operation on tight curves, but lousy for commuter and intercity passenger service (unless you can find track as straight as the Shinkansen, ICE, or I forgot the name of that other bullet line). Those Republic locos that SEPTA has (as lousy as they are) are more desirable than the top-quality 6-axle locomotive today.

LGV in france.

NS has been overhauling their MP's and many of their older 4 axle and some 6 axle locos to meet emissions requirements and update them to modern components.

Perhaps amtrak would be willing to part with one of its GP38H-3's with working HEP generator, or would those be too tall for the CCCT?

[Clearfield]

LGV in france.

Or even the TVG in France.

[Tadman]

From what I understand, the TGV runs on a right of way called the LGV. They are pretty much the same, one is the train, one is the tracks.

TGV- Tren a Grande Vitesse
LGV- Lignes a Grande Vitesse

[SCB2525]

Aren't Brookville's BL locomotives heavily based on Geeps? How have Metro North's worked out for them?

[Jersey_Mike]

Aren't Brookville's BL locomotives heavily based on Geeps? How have Metro North's worked out for them?

From what I can tell they are new build locomotives. They use Blomburg B trucks which makes them look like Geeps. MPI and NRE also build new frame locomotives. Railpower was the one using the Geep and B-Boat frames, but idk if they are in business anymore. The remanufacture market is fairly diverse with players ranging from in house railroad shoppes to EMD.