The -3C conversion is being done seperately from the rebuild program. 417 only had the HEP conversion performed. It was NOT rebuilt. 417's prime mover is still the same one it's always had. The MP36 rebuild program hasn't started yet. It will begin in December. The -3C conversion came out of some clean air grant. The rebuild is a seperate captial project. Government rules dictate that the seperately funded programs can't be done at the same time. Yes, it's insanely dumb and inefficient. But that's how the government works! That's not Metra's fault. I would imgaine thay once the MP36 rebuild programs start each one will be run through both programs before getting released for service.
The new HEP system works exactly as c604 described. There are 2 Idle/Run switches, 2 Train HEP On and Off buttons, and 2 HEP engine shutdown buttons, found in 2 seperate HEP control panels. One control panel is in the cab above the control stand, and the other is in the back of the engine in the HEP engine room. In "HEP Idle" enough power is produced to run the HEP cooling fan. The Cat idles at 900rpm in idle. When both switches are set to "Run", the Cat runs at 1800rpm. In Run it produces enough power to run the locomotive HVAC, but no power is supplied to the train until you press the "Train HEP On" button which closes the HEP contactor and supplies HEP to the entire train. If you press "Train HEP Off" the HEP contactor will open, shutting off HEP to the train, but the Cat will keep running at full speed (and provide HVAC to the locomotive) unless you put the HEP engine to Idle or shut it down. You can't hear the Cat running from inside the cab whatsoever- even when it's at full speed.
Last edited by TrainManUPRR on Thu Sep 10, 2015 12:18 pm, edited 2 times in total.