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In the previous editions of this three part series, you got to share the stories about engineers who got to operate conventional format unit coal trains which featured, in some form, one of the new SD90/43AC model locomotives as the leader of an exclusive consist of AC Traction model locomotives. But now let's put forth the following question: How well will they perform when they are operated in tandem with currently existing DC models of locomotives?
As we have before, I got to obtain some of the viewpoints of those who were in those situations. Here are their thoughts, along with the types of power used and the train sizes the consists were handling and the train symbols.
CBTHS-26: Units 8048-9126-9197 (The latter two are C40-8 models), transporting 110-0-14473 tons. "The train was a running son of a gun."
3CCDSA-03: Units 8002-6869 (A C44AC) - CR 553 (A C30-7), transporting 113-0-14716 tons. "The MAC held the rail really good."
"The consist did really well on a hard pull."
CROHS-19: Units 8005-9196 (A C40-8) - 6348 (An SD60M) "The MAC hung right in there."
Another question I had for those involved concerned the empty coal trains which featured the SD90/43AC trios in conventional train operations. In the case of the San Antonio train, the same engineers who caught the job as a load fell in the right slot for catching the return trip empty. Also included will be the opinions of the fellow who caught the Halstead train back as an empty.
"They have a little more pep to them than the GE AC's, so they were able to get the train up to speed."
"The dynamic brakes would kick in at the Set Up position. Usually, the amount it would give there was enough to slow the train."
"They'll get the train up to speed better than the GE AC's. Once you get to the 35 to 40 mph zone, they're more responsive than the GE's."
"They're able to turn up the afterburner, for the train got up to speed good and fast"
In features I have done about locomotives and technology, I've heard my share of praises along with given some myself about how a product performed. But to wrap up this series, here is the comment from one of my interviews made by a friend of mine which probably sums it up the best about the SD90/43AC locomotives:
"They're superstars."
Thank you for reading.
Marcel is a Fort Worth based Locomotive Engineer. 2-97