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Feb 28, 2007 | 09:13 PM

#16

mac01

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Joined: Jul 2006

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From: Missouri

FYI. most of the older locomotives are 2-stroke like the SD40-2 and the SD60 those aren't the only ones but they are the most popular. The newer ones that have a 2-stroke are the SD70MAC and the SD70ACE. They are all EMD's or GM built. All of the locos built by GE are four stroke. The GE's pull good but in my opinion they won't touch the 2-strokers. The 4-strokes just don't wind up fast enough.

Feb 28, 2007 | 09:18 PM

#17

David85

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Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 6,900

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From: Campbell River, B.C.

I suspected they were slightly different than the hybrids in the true sence of the word. From what I learned, I guess it would be more accurate to call it a constant velocity or electric transmission. I wasn't sure if they can run off battery power alone-apearently not.

It is still lightyears ahead of all the ""parallel"" hybrid crap that all the auto makers are focusing on lately, even though it's decades old by now!

I think the biggest advantage is the elimination of the drivetrain as we know it. No cv joints, drive shafts, gearboxes and maybe even the differential(s)could be shown the door. On top of that, no more wishing for a gear splitter, overdrive, locking TC, or low range. Yeah I could get myself into a lot of trouble if I had a little more time (and a LOT more funds!).

Feb 28, 2007 | 10:01 PM

#18

cfrives3

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Joined: Jan 2007

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From: shawnee KS

This is one of the best threads I've read. Very interesting. Love the 61. Very Ugly, Very Cool! But that 74, didn't ford have something that would've worked? They were well into the heavier truck market by then right?

Feb 28, 2007 | 10:17 PM

#19

DNewton

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 400

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From: Hesperia, So Cal

IDK, says the guy was a mechanic, i hope he had that motor laying around and decided to pop it in there........who knows.....

Feb 28, 2007 | 10:19 PM

#20

tbone91

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Joined: Oct 2006

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The locos "shift" by changing from parallel to series on the windings in the traction motors (and I think pairs of motors too). Someday, we may all be driving cars with an electric motor at each wheel. That is if our IDIs ever wear out.

Brings back a lot of memories. The first thing I ever drove was a locomotive when I was about 4 or 5. I think it was a GP7 or something like that. When I was a teenager, when we would run across one sitting idle somewhere, we would climb on, open the relay cabinet, crack the throttle to the first position, and cycle the reverser back and forth. Lots of sparks and noise from the relay contacts opening and closing under load. It's amazing we didn't all end up in jail...

As I recall, the 4-strokes sound like a power-stroke with pistons as big around as dinner plates.

Feb 28, 2007 | 10:22 PM

#21

matts156

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Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 566

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From: New Jersey

I dunno, maybe I'm crazy but I thought both of those trucks were junk and I wouldn't want either one of them.

Feb 28, 2007 | 10:39 PM

#22

David85

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Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 6,900

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From: Campbell River, B.C.

matts156, part of me wants to agree with you, I wouldn't buy any of those trucks, but still, in the era of the FE series and the thoroughly smoged 400 block, there was no light duty truck that had a diesel that could pull worth anything. Not to mention the falling mpgs from the phasing out of leaded gas.
I still think both those trucks are impressive, for what they were, when they were.

BTW, if you're crazy than what am I!

Mar 1, 2007 | 05:21 PM

#23

matts156

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Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 566

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From: New Jersey

Yeah, I agree that for their time, I'm sure there was nothing better. Diesels haven't really come of age until the last 20 years. Even the ones from the early 80's weren't worth much, from what I've heard, although I don't profess to be an expert on diesel history.