BW> Without going into any discussion of the latest in technology going into
BW> American locomotives currently, how efficient are those engines now
BW> 25-30 years old in comparison with those less than, say, ten years?
efficient... well most have just had an A grade overhaul (Tranz Rail call 
hem
"H- checks"), with two thirds of the fleet haven been fitted with air ducts
like a turbo blower housing on EMD (the bit that sticks out on the firemans 
side of the carbody), on at the front and one at the rear for use on the 
midland line hauling coal, and going through the Otira tunnel un-assisted by 
electrics. (the otira tunnel is real long, and real steep.)
I dont think these have ever been un-efficient, theyre like the energiser 
bunny...... keeps going.... and going...... and going........
BW> By the way, the latest issue of "Trains" magazine states that Union
BW> Pacific claims to have the youngest fleet of locomotives in the U.S. at
BW> the moment, and the most powerful fleet, the average age being 13.7
BW> years. This on a railroad running more than 2,000 trains each day with
BW> some 6,250 engines.
well.. here in New Zealand we would run about 200 (if that) trains a day with
no more than 200 locos........
The youngest locos here are almost 12 years old, and theyre electrics....
ahh well...
take care
Andrew
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