GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
-
- Railroadfan...fan
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2022 4:30 am
GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
I was talking to a source of mine from this particular railroad and he was telling me that glc is throwing around the idea of upgrading the gp35 trucks sets. Has anyone else heard that? What is everyone's thoughts on this?
Re: GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
What does he mean by upgrade? If your talking putting EMD (blomberg trucks) that would calls for cutting the center sill out of the frame, thats not happening. As far as rebuilding the Alco trucks, that was done on the 385, all new springs and wear plates, all of the Alco trucks have been rebuilt many times.
- SD80MAC
- Ingersoll's Mr. Michigan
- Posts: 10672
- Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:59 pm
- Location: Grand Rapids
Re: GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
The cost of that would be astronomically prohibitive. It would be more effective to buy a new locomotive at that point.
"Remember, 4 mph is a couple, 5's a collision!"
http://flickriver.com/photos/conrail680 ... teresting/
http://flickriver.com/photos/conrail680 ... teresting/
- David Collins
- Train Paparazzi
- Posts: 3113
- Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2020 10:46 am
- Location: Bloomfield Hills, Mi
- Contact:
Re: GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
What would be the benefit of replacing them? Do they not ride well?
- AARR
- Incognito and Irrelevant
- Posts: 38937
- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
- Location: Washington, MI
Re: GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
I have heard the ride a little rougher than EMD Blomberg's but have a little more "bite" to them so a change, even if economically feasible, still may not make sense.
David Collins wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 2:18 pmWhat would be the benefit of replacing them? Do they not ride well?
PatC created a monster, 'cause nobody wants to see Don Simon no more they want AARR I'm chopped liver, well if you want AARR this is what I'll give ya, bad humor mixed with irrelevant info that'll make you roll your eyes quicker than a ~Z~ banhammer...
-
- Railroadfan...fan
- Posts: 1611
- Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2006 1:43 pm
- Location: Perrysburg Ohio
Re: GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
I could see why they'd want to; they do take more damage in a derailment than a "Blomberg" truck does, and component availability has to be tougher than for the "Blomberg" type. That being said, I don't know how different the bore on the pivot point is (if it is) and so on, so it may be cost prohibitive to make the switch - especially on nearly 60 year old locomotives.
- Doktor No
- Railroadfan...fan
- Posts: 1092
- Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:49 pm
- Location: Rockford, Michigan
Re: GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
The AlCo trucks have bigger, beefier traction motors. No sense changing them...REBUILD THEM.
Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Re: GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
If they are considering replacement I'd suspect it's the availability of parts.David Collins wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 2:18 pmWhat would be the benefit of replacing them? Do they not ride well?
- AARR
- Incognito and Irrelevant
- Posts: 38937
- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
- Location: Washington, MI
Re: GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
My understanding is the frame is altered to accommodate the Alco trucks which, as SD80MAC said, is why it would be prohibitively expensive to replace them.
MSchwiebert wrote: ↑Sun Sep 25, 2022 5:27 pmI don't know how different the bore on the pivot point is (if it is) and so on, so it may be cost prohibitive to make the switch - especially on nearly 60 year old locomotives.
PatC created a monster, 'cause nobody wants to see Don Simon no more they want AARR I'm chopped liver, well if you want AARR this is what I'll give ya, bad humor mixed with irrelevant info that'll make you roll your eyes quicker than a ~Z~ banhammer...
Re: GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
Changing trucks is do able. Look at the Conrail MT4 slugs built from RS11's. In photos from the 80's they are on Alco's Type B and in photos from the 90's they are on Blomberg trucks. Same for the MT6 slugs build from RSD12's. They are on Alco's Trimount trucks early on and later EMD Flexcoil's. With a bit of searching you can find photos of the same unit before and after.
- Doktor No
- Railroadfan...fan
- Posts: 1092
- Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:49 pm
- Location: Rockford, Michigan
Re: GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
When you have a Class One with lots of cash and shop resources it is very doable. But why do it? Probably be cheaper to lease much newer power.
Curb Your Enthusiasm.
-
- Railroadfan...fan
- Posts: 333
- Joined: Sun Jun 16, 2019 10:25 am
Re: GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
We all know that LSRC has, and can get power when it needs it, or when a good deal pops up. So, why can't GLC seem to do the same? Seems like they are a little power short, or am I incorrect?
Re: GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
GLC ownership doesn’t seem to be in the mood to do much investing latelyjoeyuboats wrote: ↑Tue Sep 27, 2022 5:32 pmWe all know that LSRC has, and can get power when it needs it, or when a good deal pops up. So, why can't GLC seem to do the same? Seems like they are a little power short, or am I incorrect?
-
- Railroadfan...fan
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2022 5:15 pm
Re: GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
Heard it’s official! No more alco trucks! From a source GLC will be putting a stop to the GP35 rebuilds and start selling off all GP35s. Anyone have any idea who might be purchasing the 35s?
Re: GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
For it to be official, it would have to come directly from GLC.
They're going to start selling off the GP35's?
Maybe better to get some replacements on the property first?
They're going to start selling off the GP35's?
Maybe better to get some replacements on the property first?
Re: GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
You don’t know this. Stop spreading rumors.FerrisRail wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 8:47 pmHeard it’s official! No more alco trucks! From a source GLC will be putting a stop to the GP35 rebuilds and start selling off all GP35s. Anyone have any idea who might be purchasing the 35s?
- AARR
- Incognito and Irrelevant
- Posts: 38937
- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
- Location: Washington, MI
Re: GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
GLC just recently released one or two GP35 overhauls so it seems there going to be around for a while
LSRC wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 9:24 pmYou don’t know this. Stop spreading rumors.FerrisRail wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 8:47 pmHeard it’s official! No more alco trucks! From a source GLC will be putting a stop to the GP35 rebuilds and start selling off all GP35s. Anyone have any idea who might be purchasing the 35s?
PatC created a monster, 'cause nobody wants to see Don Simon no more they want AARR I'm chopped liver, well if you want AARR this is what I'll give ya, bad humor mixed with irrelevant info that'll make you roll your eyes quicker than a ~Z~ banhammer...
- SD80MAC
- Ingersoll's Mr. Michigan
- Posts: 10672
- Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:59 pm
- Location: Grand Rapids
Re: GLC getting rid of alco trucks!?
One, 385. They are working on the second one, 391, now.
"Remember, 4 mph is a couple, 5's a collision!"
http://flickriver.com/photos/conrail680 ... teresting/
http://flickriver.com/photos/conrail680 ... teresting/