the end of the glorious EMD 2 stroke

[GSR 800]

Not the class 57s by any chance? They have EMD engines in them

[Warbonnet]

Is the multi-engine arrangement currently in use in locomotives in other countries, or is it a totally new concept?

 

There are some in America called Gen sets. There is a BR class 73 being converted into one too. 57s were indeed converted from 47s, nearly 20 years ago now by a specialist builder (Brush traction)

[leslie10646]

There are some in America called Gen sets. There is a BR class 73 being converted into one too. 57s were indeed converted from 47s, nearly 20 years ago now by a specialist builder (Brush traction)

 

The May 2015 Modern Railways has an interesting 3 page article by Ian Walmsley on the fitting of the Class 73s with a new MTU engine, rated to equal the existing electric motors (1600hp) so that they can pull the Scotrail Sleepers in Scotland. He knows his stuff and it's an engaging read.

 

I had lots of runs with them (in electric mode) on my commute home from Waterloo in the early 1980s, when they hauled the 1734hrs train on weekdays.

 

Resurrection for fifty year old locos!

[UP6936]

You'd be surprised, EMD 2 strokes aren't excessively thirsty, if I recall right tests showed them about equal with the FDL (4 stroke) GE used at the time.

As warbonnet says, older EMD traction is still in everyday use, yet no dash 7s or U boats to be seen. They really are top quality machines.

[Warbonnet]

The May 2015 Modern Railways has an interesting 3 page article by Ian Walmsley on the fitting of the Class 73s with a new MTU engine, rated to equal the existing electric motors (1600hp) so that they can pull the Scotrail Sleepers in Scotland. He knows his stuff and it's an engaging read.

 

I had lots of runs with them (in electric mode) on my commute home from Waterloo in the early 1980s, when they hauled the 1734hrs train on weekdays.

 

Resurrection for fifty year old locos!

 

There are two 73 rebuilt projects on the go at the moment, the MTU engined one is for GBRf and they'll use some of them for the sleeper contract in Scotland. The multi-engined apporach has been undertaken by RVEL for Notwork Fail errrr... I mean Network Rail! http://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/p119809187

[hurricanemk1c]

The Fell machine used six engines - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_10100

 

Today, the Bombardier Traxx ME (Multi Engine) is just being introduced into service in German, with I think two engines. Not a new concept at all

 

Samller engines means to start off, all engines start up and power, until cruise speed when one engine may shut down. The Network Rail Class 73/9's, for example, start up one engine (least hours) until notch 4. Notch 5 and above the second engine kicks in (I think - it's that kind of system)

[Mike 84C]

BNSF have used the multi engined concept, coupled with large battery packs, for quite a few years in switching service. They used to call them Green Goats and I believe 3 Cat diesels that can be swtched on/off as needed. The concept works. Lots of stuff on the net.

Warbonnet, my relative who works on Network Fail assures me thats the term! Mind you I could put up with the .....ing for the dosh they get paid, much much better than when I worked on BR

[aclass007]

In reality, this isn't CIE/IE's first plans for multi engined locos... In 1948, parts were obtained to build 6 twin engined locos, but this never happened, and the 12 engines destined for those locos were later used in the 12 B101 Sulzers in 1956

[Mayner]

CIE management in the late 49s seem to have been heavily influenced by American practice with a powerful twin engine Sulzer design for the Cork line and a single cab Bo Bo design for freight.

 

The selection of a Sulzer engine and Metropolitan Vickers electrical equipment was a wise choice at the expense of a high axle load. With the right choice of bogie these locos could have been a real success.

 

It looks like the Sulzer Twins were intended to replace steam on the Cork line which would have been a propaganda coup for both CIE and the Government in challenging Ireland image as a backward place, after all this was the era of the big infrastructure schemes that eventually transformed the Republic from an agricultural to a manufacturing and service economy.

 

 

Going back to the multi engine Gen-Set idea for the 201s the biggest challenge and cost is likely to be the need for a complete frame up re-design of the electrics and control system.

 

The Gen Set idea is similar to the production Detics, where a complete power unit and generator is maintained by the manufacturer or their service agent rather than the railway.

Its hard to see the idea flying with the entire class of 201s, it might be a viable options for locos allocated to specific duties such as IWT, Coillte or Tara. A multi engine loco could be shut down to one engine for shunting or running an empty freight, though an electronic traction and engine management system with the present engine would probably achieve the same result.

[spudfan]

There's life in the old EMD 645 yet!

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/traction-rolling-stock/single-view/view/locomotives-for-israel-on-test.html