Railpower RP20BD heads up.

Unread post by **cnw8835** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 12:45 pm

Unforutunately this came across a little late to me. Six Railpower RP20BD demonstrator units have and will be moving between Canada and Chicago on CP trains that run on NS. Here is a current trace of the units.

5401 is still in Canada.

5402 arrived Clearing on Jan-22 at 1845

5403 arrived Bensenville on Jan-27 at 2158

5404 arrived Bensenville on Jan-25 at 1725

5405 arrived Clearing on Jan-27 at 1800

5406 departed Oakwood, MI on Jan-28 at 0623

Looks like people might still have a shot at the 5406. If I pick up info about when the 5401 is coming I'll let everyone know.

Unread post by **cnw8835** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 12:48 pm

5406 was by Montpeiler, OH at 11:23AM this morning.

Unread post by **cnw8835** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 12:51 pm

Here is what these units look like

Unread post by **Scooterb** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 3:56 pm

Got the 5403 at South Bend yesterday

J T · Unread post by **J T** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 4:27 pm

That thing is cool looking...like a hybrid or something.

Unread post by **cnw8835** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 4:50 pm

J T wrote:That thing is cool looking...like a hybrid or something.

Exactly, they are hybrids.
http://www.railpower.com/products_rp.html

SDavey · Unread post by **SDavey** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 5:02 pm

Ill probably be around Bensenville Yard Tuesday morning, whats the likelihood those units will be there?

Unread post by **cnw8835** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 5:18 pm

All I have heard is that they are being interchanged to BNSF to head west for testing.
I'll probably be around Chicago starting Tuesday myself.

Unread post by **Scooterb** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 7:45 pm

This is the one I saw in South Bend yesterday.
Camera setting got screwed up so these areaslarge as they get.
Nate might have some better ones.
http://www.railroadfan.com/gallery/albu ... 07%202.jpg

LSRC · Unread post by **LSRC** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 8:09 pm

Scooter, same thing happened to me before. This is as big as it got.

This might solve your problem;

If you don't already know, go to Function (Func) and it should be the bottom choice. It should look like a half moon, and then a letter L, S, M1, M2. Set it to the size desired then.

Of course, I could be completely off and the problem could be something else.

BTW, how well do those hybrids run?

Unread post by **Scooterb** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 8:20 pm

Thanks LSRC I think I hit the button by mistake I have about 20 pics at the lower res. didnt know it until I got home last night.

SousaKerry · Unread post by **SousaKerry** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 8:41 pm

Actually those are not hybrid but Genset units, They have 3 700hp engines on a generator skid, only as many engines run as needed for the power requirement. So if you are just putting arround the yard with 2 cars you don't have 1400hp extra running wasting fuel when just a couple hundred will do.

Interesting how they are M.U.'ed mid consist were the units online or dead in tow?

If you can get your hands on a copy of Trains special issue "Locomotive" it explains all this much better then I do, it should still be on newstands unless sold out,

GreatLakesRailfan · Sun Jan 28, 2007 10:44 pm

I believe GTWMAN over on one of Dale's boards caught the unit going through the Detroit area yesterday as well...

J T · Unread post by **J T** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 1:13 pm

SousaKerry wrote:Actually those are not hybrid but Genset units,

Well, I didn't mean hybrid in terms of combining two powers (like the ugly Toyota Prius), but rather a combination of two different looking locos. Like a switcher mixed with a jeep.

lemscate · Unread post by **lemscate** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 3:11 pm

SousaKerry wrote: Interesting how they are M.U.'ed mid consist were the units online or dead in tow?

Probably dead in tow. Switchers are shipped in between road units for a good reason: they don't have 'alignment limiting couplers' (that's not what they're called, but for some reason I can't remember what they're called). Basically, the couplers on switchers can swing out really far to the sides so they can couple onto cars on tight curves. Couplers on road units can't swing that far, because when the slack runs in the couplers would buckle to the sides causing a "wheel-rail alignment failure."

If someone can remember what the heck they're called, Google will provide more information and pretty pictures.

Alignment control couplers! That's what they're called.

GrandTrunkFan · Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:53 pm

I hate these fugly looking switcher deals, I hope I never have to wrench on one when I get outta here with my diesel degree.

TrainWatcher · Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:47 pm

why do you guys not call them by their official railfan designation of Green Goat?? I mean I really got confused when I read Railpower RP20BD...

GreatLakesRailfan · Tue Jan 30, 2007 5:17 pm

Railfan James wrote:why do you guys not call them by their official railfan designation of Green Goat??

Official Railfan designation? Says who? And since when?

sd70accsxt700 · Tue Jan 30, 2007 5:35 pm

Well for one its not a Green Goat. Its a GenSet.

TrainWatcher · Unread post by **TrainWatcher** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:28 pm

Ok, so whats the difference? They look the same!

RailRoadFan.com

B1G - The Big Train

Railpower RP20BD heads up.

Railpower RP20BD heads up.