Most large terminals are six axle terminals, and have been for quite some time. The SD38 series was designed for heavy yard service. Conrail used them, with MT6 slugs, extensively at their hump terminals. That's why the EJE loved them, good pullers at low speeds, and very easy to maintain. For the most part, the SD38's have been retired (on CSX and NS anyway) and replaced by rebuilt SD40-2's mated with the MT6 slugs AFAIK.MQT3001 wrote: Why not take some SD40-2s out of storage and equip more yards with them, then? There are several dozen stored just sitting around...
As far as the bumping the stored SD40-2's to yard service, they're probably stored because the ones in storage are probably junk, and long overdue for an overhaul. CSX does a failure analysis on what engines to bring out of storage and what ones to keep in storage. All that factors into the fate of a locomotive.
Further, throw in the cost of equipping the locomotive with the necessary RCO equipment, and you're spending big bucks on something you don't need anyway. Doesn't do anyone any good to throw a locomotive into the rotation that is going to be prone to breakdowns. On the flip side, you don't just keep spare assets sitting around if there isn't a need for them. It takes getting 'authorization' to try and increase a 'local service fleet' that works out of a terminal. Locomotive management doesn't want locomotives just sitting around.
Anyway, the local power situation seems pretty well balanced right now. Six axle road power is a bit short, but grain trains are running pretty heavy, and intermodals seemingly get 3 units, verses two in the past.
Really? You compare an RCO sled to a GP? Wow.MQT3001 wrote: You're right about this...CSX is in need of more Geeps. It is probably why there are still RCPHG4s and B40/20-8s running around.
The reason the RCO drones are 'running around' is because they allow ANY locomotive to be used for a RCO assignment. Great idea in concept, but I don't have to work with them, so I don't know how well they actually work. I know the RCO flats were a bust, too light and prone to derailments, but still a good idea on paper. Anyway, the drones are great because you get some more use out of a paid for asset, and by equipping a handful, the entire fleet can be RCO compatable. At between $10K to $30K for RCO equipment installation, those are a great way to save money over having to equip a lot of locomotives that may only occasionally be needed for RCO service.
B40-8's only recently were bumped from their 'road' assignments. Don't forget they were designed as premiere intermodal power in the 90's. Derate them to 2000 hp and prolong their useful life now that they've been bumped from road assignments by newer locomotives.
Do you ever think about what you're saying, before you say it? Really? Put 4 axle trucks under a SD40-2? Why?MQT3001 wrote: Has the idea ever been floated to put 4-axle trucks on some old SD40-2s to supplement the Geep fleet? But I guess at that rate you may as well throw SD40-2s on switching jobs and let the Geeps roam...
This isn't paper railroads. There is some thought behind locomotive power assignments, who gets what, how many, and why. It is a business after all, and a sitting asset (that is 'in service) isn't making money for the company.
Practice Safe CSX