Michigan Shortline Motive Power Question?

[JStryker722]

Given that in recent years more and more Shortlines and regionals are buying new(ish) locomotives,which Michigan lines could you see buying new(ish) locomotives?

[Evan]

HESR and LSRC. Maybe GLC. Really depends on what you define as new?

[JStryker722]

New locomotives as in Wide-cabs like the GE Dash-9 through ES44AC and the SD70 series from EMD

[TSB]

None. Too radical a change in parts and tool inventory.

[AARR]

None. Too radical a change in parts and tool inventory.

Mr TSB, did you ever look into or consider a different locomotive other than the GP35 for your railroad in the 14ish years or so you owned it?

[TSB]

Did consider but never pulled the trigger.

[JStryker722]

Wait,Mr. TSB really is the former owner of what is now the GLC?! = D

[AARR]

Wait,Mr. TSB really is the former owner of what is now the GLC?! = D

Yes, TSBY from approx. 1991/2 to 2006.

What types did you consider, Mr. TSB?

Only railroads that may have justified big modern power is HESR (CMGN segment from Bay City to Durand) and MQT IMHO.

[TSB]

We looked at a few as they became available but the most interest involved discussions
with Boise Locomotive about second shifting our shop and joint venturing an eastern
division of their operation. We went to Boise and their shop was very impressive. Talks
broke-off.

We also talked with another builder that I don't care to name.

[JStryker722]

Well then,it's quite an honor to have you answer my forum questions,TSB! it's not too often 20 year old boys meet business owners,especially in the industry I long want to work for. Lol

Not to get off subject but TSB,what made the GP35 the perfect choice for your railroad? I'm guessing the fact you had some of the original AA's GP35s at start up may have had something to do with but were there other factors?

Back to subject: I can see ya'lls answer of the MQT as warranting new power if they spent the money,but why the HESR instead of the LSRC when it comes to thumb region railroads?

[TSB]

The 35s were not the perfect choice. They were the hand that I was dealt. I would have been
happier without the turbos.

[AARR]

Back to subject: I can see ya'lls answer of the MQT as warranting new power if they spent the money,but why the HESR instead of the LSRC when it comes to thumb region railroads?

I don't feel there is any short line in MI that warrants a $3 million engine. but I through out MQT and HESR (the line from Durand to Bay City) as possibilities because of their heavy traffic.

However, even though MQT has the tonnage the 100 mile trip and only one trip a day would make the investment less than fruitful.

And in HESR's case they are down to 50ish car trains (used to be closer to 100) and only 50 miles to Durand (from Bay City) and 15 miles to Midland (but only 30ish cars) does not make large modern power a good investment.

To justify the expense a regional or short line needs heavy tonnage and long distances to get a return on the $3 million pay out.

[Trainman223]

The 35s were not the perfect choice. They were the hand that I was dealt. I would have been
happier without the turbos.

Why would you have been happier without the turbochargers?

[AARR]

The 35s were not the perfect choice. They were the hand that I was dealt. I would have been
happier without the turbos.

Why would you have been happier without the turbochargers?

Turbo Chargers add cost to the maintenance of the locomotive and also need replacing every five (?) years at $15,000-$20,000 each.

The primary advantage of the turbo is fuel efficiency and speed.

Pulling power for a turbo vs. non-turbo is about the same (ex. GP38-2 and GP40-2 are exactly the same). However, there is an upfront cost to de-turbo engines and to date the operators of the GP35's have not felt it would pay off to do so.

On a railroad that doesn't need to run at 40mph or higher the additional cost does not pay off plus the engines are only running around 100-200 miles per day. Railroads that gain efficiencies from the turbo usually run their engines double or triple that at higher speeds.

So for a railroad like TSBY/GLC a non-turbo engine (like a GP38) is just fine.

Mr. TSB - is that assessment fairly accurate?

[i995impalass]

Well then,it's quite an honor to have you answer my forum questions,TSB! it's not too often 20 year old boys meet business owners,especially in the industry I long want to work for. Lol

Not to get off subject but TSB,what made the GP35 the perfect choice for your railroad? I'm guessing the fact you had some of the original AA's GP35s at start up may have had something to do with but were there other factors?

Back to subject: I can see ya'lls answer of the MQT as warranting new power if they spent the money,but why the HESR instead of the LSRC when it comes to thumb region railroads?

Keep in mind there are more railroaders on the board than you might think. MQT is not going to get new power. You can have all the locomotives in the world pulling a million cars, but will the railroad allow it? No. What we run is about maxed out for the railroad. New traffic will warrent running additonal trains. More trains, more locomotive of the same type, so when stuff breaks you can work on it and have parts onhand.

All the units we have, most parts are interchangable. Plus when mixed and matched, for the most part, all work well when MU'ed together.

[Trainman223]

With a Diesel two stroke engine, there still has to be some sort of forced aspiration in order for it to work properly. GP38s and others like it have blowers, which is a form of supercharging.

[TSB]

[/quote]

....Keep in mind there are more railroaders on the board than you might think....

[/quote]

Some very good ones too. Everything I know about things that don't happen in the corner office
I learned by spending a lot of time around those that worked with me and keeping my mouth shut
and my ears open.

In the corner office I just guessed.

[AARR]

Some very good ones too. Everything I know about things that don't happen in the corner office
I learned by spending a lot of time around those that worked with me and keeping my mouth shut
and my ears open.

In the corner office I just guessed.

I work for a corner office guy. Nice guy but he does a lot of guessing rather than using experience to make decisions. Guess who is inconvenienced when the corner office guy is wrong...not the corner office guy...it's us in the field.

[TSB]

Sorry Don. I will try to do better next life.

[JStryker722]

I will say talking to you guys,especially TSB,AARR,MQT3001,and others have been more insightful into my hobby and career choice that I have always wanted than my own dad was watching trains with him. There is so much I want to learn from you guys.