I was recently -- just in January -- invited into the cab of two new UP units representing the best of the two major American locomotive builders: GE and EMD.
I first visited a GE ES44AC unit, which features 4,390 hp. I next visited an EMD SD70ACe unit, which features 4,300 hp.
Whilst I line up those photographs (I took over 60 in each cab) and one video, I'd like to share the video below with you, of a mixed manifest train featuring five units; four in front and one DPU:
In detail, UP 5770 on point is a GE ES44AC (called a C44ACCTE by Union Pacific) manufactured in 2002, with 4,390 hp.
Next up is UP 6520, a GE C44AC manufactured in 2000, with 4,390 hp.
Third in line is UP 8222, a rather rare SD90MAC which UP labels as an SD9043AC with 4,300 hp and built in 1998.
Fourth place features UP 2327, another rare EMD unit, which is an SD60M with 3,800 hp, built between 1988 and 1992.
At the rear in DPU (Distributed Power Unit or "dupe") status is UP 5564, a GE C44ACCTE with 4,390 hp, manufactured in 2004.
As you can see here in a view provided by Google Maps, the train is traveling eastbound (uphill) from Colfax and over the Long Ravine bridge.
Here, the grade begins to get steeper, though the Ruling Grade over Donner is 2.4%.
NEXT UP:
Actual photos from the two new GE and EMD cabs. Simply uploading these photographs will take, for me, literally hours over my DSL connection. First will be the GE ES44AC cab, then the EMD SD70ACe cab.
Take care, be safe.
MP154
Do you know if each model has a different horn tone?
ReplyDeleteWSF, funny you should mention that.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, diesels used to have what were called Nathan 5-chime air horns.
They were absolutely GLORIOUS.
Nowadays, there are perhaps at the most three chimes and, more likely, two notes in loco air horns.
Whereas before these horns were mounted toward the front (above the cab), they are now mounted mid-loco.
For sound and safety purposes.
The days of wonderful air chimes are gone, replaced with the same or greater amounts of air -- but fewer chime notes.
MP154
Cool video and great info. I see these locos passing through Truckee often. Nice to get some facts about them. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHST: thanks for visiting and thanks for taking the time to comment!
ReplyDeletePlease come back and visit often --
I would also recommend checking out many of my prior posts!
Thanks again.
MP154