Hi gang,
I am tempted to buy myself one of the Broadway limited SD40-2's - however, are such units used in local freight?
My current (only) loco so far is a GP15-T, and having a bit to choose from would be nice.
Another option could be a Trainman Genset II, but I am not sure I'd be successful in installing a decoder without a) utterly melting all Electronics and b) demolishing detail parts...
Thanks for any insight you can provide!
Martin
Yes 6 axle power can be used on local switching duties. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=102533">http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... ?id=102533</a><!-- m -->
Rscott417 Wrote:Yes 6 axle power can be used on local switching duties. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=102533">http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... ?id=102533</a><!-- m -->
Excellent!
A SD40-2 should feel right at home on my layout, then
And the end of that train is definitely another engine most likely 6 axles as well, it was very common on that line.
Well, my layout is only 10ft by 16" so I'm sort of limited to a single loco at a time.
Layout Progress shots are in the layout section, called mirrored palmetto.
Oh yea I've been following that, I used the palmetto spur plan for my layout also but I added a runaround. I use 2 gp38-2s on my version of that track plan, I know SD's are much longer but they should fit.
Rscott417 Wrote:And the end of that train is definitely another engine most likely 6 axles as well, it was very common on that line.
Here's the other end of that train. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=101376">http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... ?id=101376</a><!-- m -->
NS has been using SD40-2's for awhile now as yard power and locals.
Now the loco in the last pic above is a SD40T-2, about 6' longer than a regular SD40-2, so if than can run on your layout, anything can, as it is almost as long as the newest SD's and GE's available.
Hi gang,
I'm not as much concerned with wether the loco will actually physically fit, rather, would a real railroad like, say, CSX use a powerful road locomotive for light industrial branch Work?
While the collect collect COLLECT!! bug certainly tries to sink it's claws into me, it IS december, and I am not THAT rich - Thus, if it is extremely rare, I'd rather sit on my wallet for a while longer and get a GP40-2 when they hit the markets next year. (I allready have a genesis GP38-2 on pre order)
Martin
Todays class 1 RR are mostly free of pure switchers and use their low end engines to serve local industries. Todays low end engines are the champions of the past. Therefor are GP38 and SD40 a perfect fit and very common found at locals serving industry.
The only point with 6 axle engines is the minimum radius of tracks they can handle. Your layout should give the impression of not to tight curves. Modern industries connected with a gentle curve to the mainline are no problem to be served with a SD40 etc.
An employee time table is a good source to find out what engines are permitted on a specific line and connected industries.
It is also important to choose the right timeframe. GP38-2 and SD40-2 are no low end engines on a 1980 layout! You should be at least in the current century.
Last but not least I suggest you a critical eye on the radius of the curves on your layout. The models can negotiate impressive tight curves without derailment but is simply looks awful. But that is a matter of personal taste.
faraway Wrote:Todays class 1 RR are mostly free of pure switchers and use their low end engines to serve local industries. Todays low end engines are the champions of the past. Therefor are GP38 and SD40 a perfect fit and very common found at locals serving industry.
The only point with 6 axle engines is the minimum radius of tracks they can handle. Your layout should give the impression of not to tight curves. Modern industries connected with a gentle curve to the mainline are no problem to be served with a SD40 etc.
An employee time table is a good source to find out what engines are permitted on a specific line and connected industries.
It is also important to choose the right timeframe. GP38-2 and SD40-2 are no low end engines on a 1980 layout! You should be at least in the current century.
Last but not least I suggest you a critical eye on the radius of the curves on your layout. The models can negotiate impressive tight curves without derailment but is simply looks awful. But that is a matter of personal taste.
Hi,
I decided my layot is current (Ie, 2015 in a few weeks) and the sharpest bend I have on the layout is a #6 switch...
Most locals that I see are (NS , CSX) are GP38 , GP40 or gensets there are always exceptions !!!!!
hock:
A six-axle loco may be easier on the track than a four-axle of the same weight.
Canadian National had a series of model GMD-1 locos that could have either 4 or 6 wheel trucks. When the locos were sent to work priarie branch lines, they were given 6-wheel trucks; when they came back east the 4-wheelers were restored. The locos were also renumbered, but only the second digit changed. (details hazy; check the Rapido website).
Santa Fe thought the 4 axle 4000 HP GP60Ms & Bs could pull as good as their 6 axles but w/o the extra 4 axles there was too much wheel slip. These days BNSF uses them mostly for switching.
I am not sure if it was on the Big Blue or another forum but a member had asked if six axle locomotives were used on locals or in yards. I came across this picture this morning of a GP15-1 and C44-9W doing some switching in Denver, CO
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.ph...285&nseq=1 If anyone else has any odd paired units please post