A lot of great info here. I live on Long Island and I love seeing MP15s still in service today whether it be on work trains like I saw in this video, standing by at Jamaica for rescue power, or seeing them on NYAR freight trains it’s awesome to see them so prominently
61 yrs old and I'm still learning. How many of us thought the SW meant switcher? I have since childhood. And we called them "pups"....great channel. And accurate.
I want to politely correct you about the EMD *-2* and *-3* units. The -2 units all began production post 1971. The newer electronics in them came directly from the production and testing of the DDA40X units built for the Union Pacific. It worked so well, that EMD decided to rework the electronics in all their locomotive series. The older GP units (pre 1972) were not as universally compatible for parts interchanging as the new -2 series, and also had non-standard frame lengths. Post 1971 came with 1 basic frame for the entire GPxx-2 series, with many interchangeable components to make the individual locomotives the customer needed. Parts from a GP39-2 would fit perfectly into/onto a GP40-2 or a GP38-2. The -3 units were never actually a production line of EMD, but rather a rebuild/refresh of older units in need of upgrade. Some done by EMD, some done by other shops such as MK.
THIS IS A GREAT VIDEO ! I have been watching trains for 50 years, but could never consistently tell modern locos apart. My grandson & I learned reliably how to do so here. The side-by-side pictures were powerful. Thanks !
Great video. I like that you didn't go way into the weeds but kept it to general concepts in this one. I also appreciate that you noted how the GEs and the EMDs _sound_ rather than just discussing their look. I'm sure there are plenty of people, like myself, with poor eyesight but who enjoy railroading.
0:36 That horn in the background is MONSTROUS!!! Do you have a video of the original clip? (Not to be rude, but without the talking?) I wanna use it for one or my games I make on Roblox (and Scratch). Anyways, keep up the good work, Mike! ❤🚂❤
You can distinguish between EMD and GE locomotives by their fuel tanks. EMD Locomotives have a smooth, rounded tanks while a GE locomotive has a chiseled tank.
This video is a Railfans dream ! Crystal clear beautiful photography and lots of meaningful information. Most other train video pale in comparison. Watching this for the 1st time my thought,"Oh yeah sign me up with a sub".
As a former caterpillar mechanic I worked on d11 dozers and the main reason locomotives are using caterpillar engines is 1. Because they are reliable. 2 if they break pretty much any caterpillar technician or diesel mechanic can fix them. 3. Parts are really easy to find
No large North American freight locomotive uses Caterpillar diesel engines, the Cat diesel engines you aree familiar with don't much like the duty cycle of mainline freight locomotives. Several railroads tried them and they failed. In Europe they seem to work with the differing usage, and EMD's new passenger locomotives use them.
@@johnbeaulieu2404 There is actually and only the SD70AH-T4's which use Caterpillar 1010J's that were based on the EMD 265H's in the SD90MAC's a long time ago. The 1010J's actually turned out to be much more reliable than the junk 265H's,but everything else about those units just sucks. The very first large units in an attempt that used Caterpillar motors were the MK5000C's with the 3612's.All six had numerous complaints about crankshafts being damaged severely. Utah Railway saved them after Southern Pacific was no more and eventually rebuilt them into MK5000-3's with EMD 645F's but using 645E3 assemblies.
And EMD went from being owned by General Motors to spun off and is now a subsidiary of Progress Rail, a subsidiary of Caterpillar. Meanwhile GE Transportation was recently merged into Wabtec. They might be moving away from their origins, but they survive. I don't think Siemens is interested in making North American freight locomotives but they're cutting into the passenger market. Not sure how much GE or EMD values the passenger diesel market, but EMD have brought the F125 to market.
Ha Ha! Good old GE U-Boats, slow, noisy locomotives, so fun to maintain. Believe me, there is a very noticeable sound difference between a jeep and a U-Boat.
"High hood" well I'm glad I watched this now. There's a small freight company a few miles from where I live and almost all of their locomotives are high hoods but I never knew what that style was called, ty!
Technically, they're "high short hoods" -- all long hoods on locomotives are "high" (in height), but only some "short" (in lengh) hoods are high. Norfolk & Western and Southern, at one time, always had diesels with high short hoods, and ran them long hood first for safety reasons.
This is the video that clinched it for me. Then I noticed all of the beautiful scenery in the other videos and I was hooked. I come home from work and throw your channel on the TV and let it play which is driving my wife crazy 😁 thanks from a new subscriber!!
Thank you for this great education - I look forward to more :) I grew up about a mile from ALCo in Schenectady, NY and those were some cool locomotives. They went the way of the buggy whip, but would be easy to spot on the rails today. EMD is Caterpillar now and GE is something else and so the wheels of progress roll. I just enjoy watching and learning from the many great railfan videos on You Tube.
Grandfather painted trains for GE in Erie, PA and one of my uncle's used to work on wiring new locomotives as well in Erie. While I understand some people love their EMD's or Alcos or what not, I'll always be a GE fan for life, even if they don't produce locomotives anymore
Best doccie so far. In South Africa our rail network was mostly electrified, but since last year the electrical infrastructure was neglected, including the metro urban multiple units. Now newer generation diesels from GE are taking over
The SD70ACU's are really unique in my opinion. Only 2 railroads in NA have these locos being CP and NS. CP SD70ACU's used to be SD90MAC'S but they were rebuilt due to cab and power issues
Norfolk Southern acquired those SD9043MAC's from Union Pacific because they were dirt cheap valued and already had issues. Before the rebuilding,certain amounts of them already had cracks in the frames. The only good updates on the SD70ACU rebuilds was using electronics from Mitsubishi instead of keeping the pathetic Siemens electronics for them. The dynamic braking on them sucks even though Norfolk Southern wants to keep 45 of them on coal drags while 27 are used anywhere and the rest are being scrapped by PRLX. Canadian Pacific only rebuilt 30 of their own SD9043MAC's into the SD70ACU's while the rest are still in storage.They also purchased six of the SD80MAC's from PRLX to use as parts donors for this. They were running 39 SD9043MAC's from Union Pacific that also came at cheap cost but have been wanting to get rid of them as well.
I usually stick in Passenger trains, thank you for helping me identify these frieght trains, I’ll be on the look out for these freight trains. Thank you Mike :)
You're welcome and thanks! Glad you liked the video. I always used to be more into passenger operations but over the years, I've become more and more interested in freight too.
@@TheTrainExpert The BNSF 560-570 series actually have the carbody of a B40-8W, but rebuilt to a standard-width cab. Thus, the "W" only means a Wide Cab.
Brick Tamland I’m not sure you would feel that way if you had to operate them. EMD’s load up so much faster and in my mind they pull harder and much smoother. But everything is a matter of opinion.
@@jcoats1203 Not soo much opinion,but this is literally just factors and statistics. EMD units are great at loading traction much quicker but slack on tractive effort in comparison to alot of GE units.When there's local iobs and switching to be done any EMD is reliable for that,or if you just want to get on the move fast. Dealing with serious weight like coal and rock for example,GE is the way to go on that. GE has managed to build everlasting traction motors with astounding tractive effort and incredible dynamic braking over the years.Those three aspects are where EMD has been falling away from results for a long time. Problems have been here and there after the GP40-2's & SD40-2's were discontinued.However when EMD debuted AC traction motors and HTC R trucks for the SD70 series it was really good at first but then GE improved their own components soon after and overthrew EMD on results. EMD has retained their notoriety of quickly loading traction motors,both DC & AC,and obviously the 567,645,and 710 series which will outlive the units themselves and not catch on fire like the GE 7FDL's & 7HDL's. Although it is true that there is probably many more EMD units still around after all these years,almost all modern mainline usage is entirely compromised of GE power at this point while GE rebuilds are starting to be equal if not more than EMD rebuilds. GE is also cheaper than EMD and it's easier to deal with them being more fuel efficient and EPA compliant since they're four stroke.The EPA was the worst thing that actually put down EMD because their durable two stroke motors can't pass modern emissions regulations.This is why they developed exhaust manifold silencers and why business has been great within stationary and marine apparatus where emissions testing is irrelevant. In simple summary,any EMD units are mechanically the most reliable but everything else for dealing with serious tonnage is credit to GE.
I needed this cause I would never know the difference between GEVO, Dash 9, AC4400CW, and the Dash 8.... I learned the difference a bit ago, but it's good to have a refresher....
The reasons why EMD and GE sound so different is EMD is a two-stroke. Engine and the GE is a 4-stroke diesel engine that's why it makes that different chug sound good job coasterfan2105
Though it sounds like the GE 7FDL and GEVO engines run at a slower speed than the four-stroke engines used by EMD which are by Caterpillar (though I need to look at videos of EMD Tier 4 freight locos; I'm basing what I'm hearing on the EMD F125, a passenger loco, which itself uses a Caterpillar V20 four-stroke).
Awesome video another way to tell apart the -8s from -9s is the grill behind the cab is longer on a -9 and shorter on the -9 if you are on the engineer side of the AC44CW you can’t see the big box so to tell it apart from a -9 you look in the same section and the AC44CW has more grills I use this method
I don't thing that locomotives changed that drastic because of deregulation. The common theme seems to be for larger locomotives. In my career, it used to take 4 SD40s to power a train. Laer it was 3 SD60s/C40-8, and now just a pair of AC.
I'm glad someone is tackling this. I stopped rail fanning back in the late 70's. Due to my career. Last hot new Loco's then were SD 40-2, & GE U 30 series. Still can tell them apart. But these new ones are difficult to identify.
The slanted mesh-screens below the radiators are the easiest way to to tell GE series apart: Dash-8 = one big screen (sometimes devided in the middle) AC44/Dash-9 = 2 screens, rear one slightly longer AC60 = 2 screens, both same length (front one often devided in the mide) ES = 3 screens, the frontmost clearly at a different angle ET = 4 screens. (The entire readiator unit is at a steeper angle compared to other series)
Which sounds best, GE or EMD? Heh. Both. I want to thank you for this. I love trains and have a few subs to some great channels. My problem is I don't know much about engines and haven't learnedmuch. I see those I like and don't know what they are. This video, and series, fills a need I've not come across before and I have to thank you for that. This is a great video and you have a new subscriber.
Very interesting. Several facts I did not know. Thanks for your effort in putting together a quality program. You keep teaching . . . I'll keep watching!
Just found your channel. You’re a really great teacher when it comes to learning about railfaning. I’ve learned so much from your videos. Keep up the awesome work. Thanks!
WOW, I am just getting into trainspotting and half these shots are right from my office in Bellingham WA! I can even see my office in the opening shot!
Starting at about 20:00 , I appreciated the discussion of the sound differences. During that, you showed several intermodal trains and I had the stray thought that if people waiting at crossings and getting impatient would realize that every one of those containers means a truck that is not on the road, maybe they would be more understanding.
Great video , thank you . I also think a easy way to tell the difference between a EMD and a GE is the fuel tanks and air tanks on the side above the tanks on EMD's . .
As a beginner to American trains I found that very useful (you are also easy to follow when you speak, I'm talking as a non-native english speaker). Good video, greetings from Italy!
I discovered the GE chug the second time Amtrak dropped me (and others) on the platform on the edge of town at 5:30 am. All there was to hear was those two P42's. I never expected that sound.
I like that you covered the difference in sound between the EMD and GE engines. I use the term "rhythmic chant" to describe the EMD noise, and "choppy" to describe the GE. The EMD basically sounds like its running twice as fast as the GE. I was surprised that you didn't point out that EMD's have round fan housings on their roofs, and GE's don't. Is that a reliable characteristic for locomotive spotting?
It's not just the electronics that the 'dash' denotes. It can mean it's had quite a few modifications, including, larger fuel tanks, newer prime mover generators, and, final drive motors. Or, am I wrong.?🤔?.... Please advise.!🧐!.
Now I know the difference between a GE and EMD locomotive! I have heard of how the EMD GP and SD locomotives are different (as well as the GE B/C thing, plus how the GE standard cab is different from the EMD one), but thanks to this video, I can now check out the locomotive to see what manufacturer it is, even with modern wide-cabs. The wide-cabs and the engine sounds are different, and so, I can add these hints to my array of railfanning tips. Where an EMD SD70ACe ends and a GE Evolution begins.
You seem very informed but having trains run by and saying this or that about it is confusing. It be nice to see photo diagrams of the differences point out.
Wow what a good video. You are one very smart young man!!! I'm glad you don't have us take a test. I think I will have to watch this series several times.
Forgive me if someone has already stated this, but another way to tell EMD from GE is the fuel tanks. The EMD have a curved fuel tank, or, in the case of the SD70ACe, a lightly chiseled “curved tank”. The GE fuel tanks are very much chiseled with air reservoirs embedded into the fuel tank on the right side (engineer) of the locomotive. There are a few exceptions to this, but, for the most part, this visual indicator works.
That is another good example. There are a few different things that I could have used, I just decided to go with the trucks, nose/cab, and radiator. But the fuel tank is a very good example, too.
Very informative. Loved it. I'm working on starting my own HO scale model train layout and it will be nice to know the differences in the locomotives. Thankyou.
A wonderful breakdown. I had no idea that General Motors and General Electric were direct competitors in the diesel market, even if they're not any more. Very interesting. Diesel history is just as cool as, even if less romantic than, steam history.
From what I know, there was initially famously Alco that collaborated with GE to make the famous PA passenger diesels, and former steam manufacture Baldwin and Fairbanks Morse that also competed in the early first generation diesel market. As we all know, EMD and GE won the battle and continued to compete until probably recently.
Thanks Mike! The video quality of this video is one of the best I have seen on YT! Thanks also for the tips on GE v EMD. We have both here in Australia, but I think they may be modified versions - not sure though. Need someone to do a video like yours on the different GE and EMD Locos in Oz! Will be checking out your other videos - thanks again - Stu
Nice video! I really like the RS3L horn at the beginning! I do want to add a couple more features about the EMD’s and GE’s. In the EMD series, all of them (minus the Tier 4 ACe and SD90) use 2-stroke engines, while all GE’s use 4-stroke engines. Also, there are 2 ways to distinguish DC traction GE’s from their AC counterparts: the DC GE’s have either the floating bolster, “Adirondack” (for the six-axle Dash 8’s), or High Adhesion trucks, while the AC GE’s have either the latter trucks or steerable trucks and their traction motors make a sort of moaning noise. Lastly, one way to tell EMD’s and GE’s apart are their air compressors: the former locomotives have regular sounding air releases, while the latter have a unique “whooping” noise every few seconds.
you haven't mentioned the variation to the front of the ge's delivered to rio tinto in north western australia. (i wouldn't really expect you to have noticed. they're not in north america). rio tinto must have ordered the spec especially for themselves. they have what i believe is called teardrop shaped windows with the nose lines adapted to suit.
Nice video. It is helpful to listen to the engine sound to tell the difference. I have always thought EMDs had a nice humming/whining sound while GEs have a big roaring sound
I always enjoy your train talk videos and learn something from them. I really like the shot at @14:55. I've railfanned at Clifton, VA alot and it is a nice spot.
That’s a good video. I’ll be able to tell the difference between freight locomotive from now on. Someday in the future we might have electric locomotive on freight routes.
There are a few of them on some regional railroads, but that's about it. Maybe more in the future, probably as battery units more likely than not. Thanks for watching!
when they have multiple headers , with different companys locos , how do they decide who pays the diesel ?? must get confusing .Thanks for sharing this , I am interested in diesel traction in US but I dentification is a bit of a mystery . Wales UK.
There is a company owned equally by the seven large railroads in North America called Railinc which operates a database of every locomotive and freight car in North America including their relevant specifications called UMLER (Uniform Machine Language Equipment Register). It also maintains a database of the last reported position of each item on that register. Each locomotive and car has an RFID tag on both the side sills, which is read by sensors along the line. Each railroad maintains a listing of the locomotives and the time it moves from their railroad to one of the other six railroads (seven if you count Ferromex in Mexico). The numbers are count by hours times the horsepower of the locomotive. At the end of each month the Accounting departments compare what each railroad owes each of the others. Usually much of the numbers cancel out, but if necessary money changes hands. Also if say BNSF sends a loco to NS and then NS sends the loco to CSX, BNSF considers NS as the debtor until they get it back while NS will charge CSX for the BNSF loco it sent to CSX.
Brilliant video, Mike, particularly for those of us in the UK. We are virtually dependant on programs like this to provide the information we need to do our modelling. So, this video gives a good, easily digested overview. Many thanks and I'll look for further releases.
No exaggeration. I don't think I EVER learned as much in 20 minutes! Thank you.
You're very welcome! Thanks for watching!
Hey coaster What kind of
Train is this? 4:05
A lot of great info here. I live on Long Island and I love seeing MP15s still in service today whether it be on work trains like I saw in this video, standing by at Jamaica for rescue power, or seeing them on NYAR freight trains it’s awesome to see them so prominently
61 yrs old and I'm still learning. How many of us thought the SW meant switcher? I have since childhood. And we called them "pups"....great channel. And accurate.
Perhaps a good Train Talk topic would be on the theoretical and practical differences of AC traction vs DC traction.
I want to politely correct you about the EMD *-2* and *-3* units.
The -2 units all began production post 1971. The newer electronics in them came directly from the production and testing of the DDA40X units built for the Union Pacific. It worked so well, that EMD decided to rework the electronics in all their locomotive series. The older GP units (pre 1972) were not as universally compatible for parts interchanging as the new -2 series, and also had non-standard frame lengths. Post 1971 came with 1 basic frame for the entire GPxx-2 series, with many interchangeable components to make the individual locomotives the customer needed. Parts from a GP39-2 would fit perfectly into/onto a GP40-2 or a GP38-2.
The -3 units were never actually a production line of EMD, but rather a rebuild/refresh of older units in need of upgrade. Some done by EMD, some done by other shops such as MK.
THIS IS A GREAT VIDEO ! I have been watching trains for 50 years, but could never consistently tell modern locos apart. My grandson & I learned reliably how to do so here. The side-by-side pictures were powerful. Thanks !
I’ve been trying to figure out the term for the high nose cabs for about two years now. Thank the good Lord you exist.
Great video. I like that you didn't go way into the weeds but kept it to general concepts in this one. I also appreciate that you noted how the GEs and the EMDs _sound_ rather than just discussing their look. I'm sure there are plenty of people, like myself, with poor eyesight but who enjoy railroading.
7:57
*_that bell is going super speed!_*
@Cory Child DIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDING
0:36 That horn in the background is MONSTROUS!!! Do you have a video of the original clip? (Not to be rude, but without the talking?) I wanna use it for one or my games I make on Roblox (and Scratch). Anyways, keep up the good work, Mike! ❤🚂❤
You can distinguish between EMD and GE locomotives by their fuel tanks. EMD Locomotives have a smooth, rounded tanks while a GE locomotive has a chiseled tank.
Yes, that is a good point!
5:25 They also share the same, Blomberg style trucks used by the MP series.
5:37 Raydeeayters
5:28
5:30 Frdamostpart
This video is a Railfans dream ! Crystal clear beautiful photography and lots of meaningful information. Most other train video pale in comparison.
Watching this for the 1st time my thought,"Oh yeah sign me up with a sub".
As a former caterpillar mechanic I worked on d11 dozers and the main reason locomotives are using caterpillar engines is 1. Because they are reliable. 2 if they break pretty much any caterpillar technician or diesel mechanic can fix them. 3. Parts are really easy to find
No large North American freight locomotive uses Caterpillar diesel engines, the Cat diesel engines you aree familiar with don't much like the duty cycle of mainline freight locomotives. Several railroads tried them and they failed. In Europe they seem to work with the differing usage, and EMD's new passenger locomotives use them.
The Caterpillar factory is impressive, keep America strong.
@@johnbeaulieu2404
There is actually and only the SD70AH-T4's which use Caterpillar 1010J's that were based on the EMD 265H's in the SD90MAC's a long time ago.
The 1010J's actually turned out to be much more reliable than the junk 265H's,but everything else about those units just sucks.
The very first large units in an attempt that used Caterpillar motors were the MK5000C's with the 3612's.All six had numerous complaints about crankshafts being damaged severely.
Utah Railway saved them after Southern Pacific was no more and eventually rebuilt them into MK5000-3's with EMD 645F's but using 645E3 assemblies.
There were three companies that built freight locomotives. EMD, GE, & ALCO. Right now only EMD and GE are in service.
And EMD went from being owned by General Motors to spun off and is now a subsidiary of Progress Rail, a subsidiary of Caterpillar. Meanwhile GE Transportation was recently merged into Wabtec. They might be moving away from their origins, but they survive. I don't think Siemens is interested in making North American freight locomotives but they're cutting into the passenger market. Not sure how much GE or EMD values the passenger diesel market, but EMD have brought the F125 to market.
Yeah, it's interesting to see how things have evolved. Baldwin and Fairbanks-Morse also used to build diesels many years ago.
Plenty of ALCOs still around, some in freight service in NE PA.
@@CoasterFan2105 Many steam locomotive factories tried to build diesel locomotives, but no one survive.
what are the cabless units alternating with those gondola's at about 11:30 of the video??
Ha Ha! Good old GE U-Boats, slow, noisy locomotives, so fun to maintain. Believe me, there is a very noticeable sound difference between a jeep and a U-Boat.
"High hood" well I'm glad I watched this now. There's a small freight company a few miles from where I live and almost all of their locomotives are high hoods but I never knew what that style was called, ty!
Technically, they're "high short hoods" -- all long hoods on locomotives are "high" (in height), but only some "short" (in lengh) hoods are high. Norfolk & Western and Southern, at one time, always had diesels with high short hoods, and ran them long hood first for safety reasons.
I kinda like all of the EMD and GE freight locomotives. I just want all of the locomotives to continue on 2021
Same
L
A good number of them will!
@@CoasterFan2105 to by 7
Hello Leo.
Mike I applaud you. You got everything 100% right about both locomotive builders.
Thanks so much, John. Really appreciate it.
Great video and very informative. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!
This is the video that clinched it for me. Then I noticed all of the beautiful scenery in the other videos and I was hooked. I come home from work and throw your channel on the TV and let it play which is driving my wife crazy 😁 thanks from a new subscriber!!
I worked for EMD Macook IL. in the Engine Rebuild Division in 1979 Great place to work
This is fantastic, thank you for the information.
Thank you for this great education - I look forward to more :) I grew up about a mile from ALCo in Schenectady, NY and those were some cool locomotives. They went the way of the buggy whip, but would be easy to spot on the rails today. EMD is Caterpillar now and GE is something else and so the wheels of progress roll. I just enjoy watching and learning from the many great railfan videos on You Tube.
Grandfather painted trains for GE in Erie, PA and one of my uncle's used to work on wiring new locomotives as well in Erie. While I understand some people love their EMD's or Alcos or what not, I'll always be a GE fan for life, even if they don't produce locomotives anymore
Best doccie so far. In South Africa our rail network was mostly electrified, but since last year the electrical infrastructure was neglected, including the metro urban multiple units. Now newer generation diesels from GE are taking over
I love how you put 563’s RS3L in the intro!
I had to do it!
The RS3L is a nice-sounding horn. It would actually make an excellent ring tone.
Gabriel Lodato it’s the best sounding horn in my opinion
It real does sound good.
@@mattyoung2297 rip 563
thanks for a very informative video Mike. Great show!
I needed this. The Second Diesel Spotter’s Guide just does not answer many current questions.
The SD70ACU's are really unique in my opinion. Only 2 railroads in NA have these locos being CP and NS. CP SD70ACU's used to be SD90MAC'S but they were rebuilt due to cab and power issues
NSs used to be UP SD90MACs.
Norfolk Southern acquired those SD9043MAC's from Union Pacific because they were dirt cheap valued and already had issues.
Before the rebuilding,certain amounts of them already had cracks in the frames.
The only good updates on the SD70ACU rebuilds was using electronics from Mitsubishi instead of keeping the pathetic Siemens electronics for them.
The dynamic braking on them sucks even though Norfolk Southern wants to keep 45 of them on coal drags while 27 are used anywhere and the rest are being scrapped by PRLX.
Canadian Pacific only rebuilt 30 of their own SD9043MAC's into the SD70ACU's while the rest are still in storage.They also purchased six of the SD80MAC's from PRLX to use as parts donors for this.
They were running 39 SD9043MAC's from Union Pacific that also came at cheap cost but have been wanting to get rid of them as well.
I usually stick in Passenger trains, thank you for helping me identify these frieght trains, I’ll be on the look out for these freight trains. Thank you Mike :)
You're welcome and thanks! Glad you liked the video. I always used to be more into passenger operations but over the years, I've become more and more interested in freight too.
Yes! It’s here! I’ve seen BNSF 563 before.
Isn't that a rebuilt 8-40BW (B40-8W)?
@@DOTD-Ko7382 its a B40-8 not B40-8W
@@TheTrainExpert The BNSF 560-570 series actually have the carbody of a B40-8W, but rebuilt to a standard-width cab. Thus, the "W" only means a Wide Cab.
@@DOTD-Ko7382 563 was always a B40-8 ever since she was built back in the 80s, BNSF just re-numbered them so they won't interfere with other engines
@@TheTrainExpert Umm...
oh. 563 was actually ATSF 7413, also a standard cab. these dang BNSF numbers
The EMD sound is that of the "Real Man's Diesel".
Yes sir
If you like wimpier sounding locos, then yes, yes it is.
Brick Tamland I’m not sure you would feel that way if you had to operate them. EMD’s load up so much faster and in my mind they pull harder and much smoother. But everything is a matter of opinion.
@@jcoats1203 Most of the G.E.'s that I've ran have taken a lower throttle gear to start pulling. And less sand. Also have better adhesion.
@@jcoats1203
Not soo much opinion,but this is literally just factors and statistics.
EMD units are great at loading traction much quicker but slack on tractive effort in comparison to alot of GE units.When there's local iobs and switching to be done any EMD is reliable for that,or if you just want to get on the move fast.
Dealing with serious weight like coal and rock for example,GE is the way to go on that.
GE has managed to build everlasting traction motors with astounding tractive effort and incredible dynamic braking over the years.Those three aspects are where EMD has been falling away from results for a long time.
Problems have been here and there after the GP40-2's & SD40-2's were discontinued.However when EMD debuted AC traction motors and HTC R trucks for the SD70 series it was really good at first but then GE improved their own components soon after and overthrew EMD on results.
EMD has retained their notoriety of quickly loading traction motors,both DC & AC,and obviously the 567,645,and 710 series which will outlive the units themselves and not catch on fire like the GE 7FDL's & 7HDL's.
Although it is true that there is probably many more EMD units still around after all these years,almost all modern mainline usage is entirely compromised of GE power at this point while GE rebuilds are starting to be equal if not more than EMD rebuilds.
GE is also cheaper than EMD and it's easier to deal with them being more fuel efficient and EPA compliant since they're four stroke.The EPA was the worst thing that actually put down EMD because their durable two stroke motors can't pass modern emissions regulations.This is why they developed exhaust manifold silencers and why business has been great within stationary and marine apparatus where emissions testing is irrelevant.
In simple summary,any EMD units are mechanically the most reliable but everything else for dealing with serious tonnage is credit to GE.
9:29 this is filmed at Harpers Ferry in West Virginia, along with 14:03
thanks
I needed this cause I would never know the difference between GEVO, Dash 9, AC4400CW, and the Dash 8.... I learned the difference a bit ago, but it's good to have a refresher....
The reasons why EMD and GE sound so different is EMD is a two-stroke. Engine and the GE is a 4-stroke diesel engine that's why it makes that different chug sound good job coasterfan2105
Though it sounds like the GE 7FDL and GEVO engines run at a slower speed than the four-stroke engines used by EMD which are by Caterpillar (though I need to look at videos of EMD Tier 4 freight locos; I'm basing what I'm hearing on the EMD F125, a passenger loco, which itself uses a Caterpillar V20 four-stroke).
Awesome video another way to tell apart the -8s from -9s is the grill behind the cab is longer on a -9 and shorter on the -9 if you are on the engineer side of the AC44CW you can’t see the big box so to tell it apart from a -9 you look in the same section and the AC44CW has more grills I use this method
Yup, that's true too! Thanks!
Lots of great shots from in and around Bellingham!
Love the sound of GE's. Such monsters.
Thanks for this.
Do a Train Talk about how locomotive design changed after the 1982 deregulation of Freight Railroads.
@@ThatOneMichiganRailfan It's a good idea though, and he does take requests.
That's an interesting idea! I'll look into that for a future episode.
B
I don't thing that locomotives changed that drastic because of deregulation. The common theme seems to be for larger locomotives. In my career, it used to take 4 SD40s to power a train. Laer it was 3 SD60s/C40-8, and now just a pair of AC.
@@CoasterFan2105 Have you looked into this?
I'm glad someone is tackling this. I stopped rail fanning back in the late 70's. Due to my career. Last hot new Loco's then were SD 40-2, & GE U 30 series. Still can tell them apart. But these new ones are difficult to identify.
The slanted mesh-screens below the radiators are the easiest way to to tell GE series apart:
Dash-8 = one big screen (sometimes devided in the middle)
AC44/Dash-9 = 2 screens, rear one slightly longer
AC60 = 2 screens, both same length (front one often devided in the mide)
ES = 3 screens, the frontmost clearly at a different angle
ET = 4 screens. (The entire readiator unit is at a steeper angle compared to other series)
Which sounds best, GE or EMD?
Heh.
Both.
I want to thank you for this. I love trains and have a few subs to some great channels. My problem is I don't know much about engines and haven't learnedmuch. I see those I like and don't know what they are. This video, and series, fills a need I've not come across before and I have to thank you for that. This is a great video and you have a new subscriber.
I won't remember everything first time watching, but the hood difference was definitely a great tip, thanks for this video!
Very interesting. Several facts I did not know. Thanks for your effort in putting together a quality program. You keep teaching . . . I'll keep watching!
Just found your channel. You’re a really great teacher when it comes to learning about railfaning. I’ve learned so much from your videos. Keep up the awesome work. Thanks!
WOW, I am just getting into trainspotting and half these shots are right from my office in Bellingham WA! I can even see my office in the opening shot!
Starting at about 20:00 , I appreciated the discussion of the sound differences.
During that, you showed several intermodal trains and I had the stray thought that if people waiting at crossings and getting impatient would realize that every one of those containers means a truck that is not on the road, maybe they would be more understanding.
It is so easy. There is a builder plate on EMD under frames near the cab. Do not know about those foreign locos.
Very helpful video. I've been wondering which one I should get to impress my neighbors.
Amazing!!!! Beautiful video! Greetings from Spain 🚂👍📽️🔝
This was the best explanation of the different types of engines. I've always wanted to know how they were different! Great job!
Thank you!
Great video , thank you . I also think a easy way to tell the difference between a EMD and a GE is the fuel tanks and air tanks on the side above the tanks on EMD's . .
As a beginner to American trains I found that very useful (you are also easy to follow when you speak, I'm talking as a non-native english speaker). Good video, greetings from Italy!
ps: where did you shoot the first video of the BNSF' freight with theB40-8 and the B unit?
I discovered the GE chug the second time Amtrak dropped me (and others) on the platform on the edge of town at 5:30 am. All there was to hear was those two P42's. I never expected that sound.
I like that sound characteristic a lot
There at 5:09 I’ve seen that train it’s at the Tacoma waterfront I’ve seen it many times
I don't know how i got here 😕 but watched all the way through nice learning new things.
I like that you covered the difference in sound between the EMD and GE engines. I use the term "rhythmic chant" to describe the EMD noise, and "choppy" to describe the GE. The EMD basically sounds like its running twice as fast as the GE.
I was surprised that you didn't point out that EMD's have round fan housings on their roofs, and GE's don't. Is that a reliable characteristic for locomotive spotting?
It's not just the electronics that the 'dash' denotes.
It can mean it's had quite a few modifications, including, larger fuel tanks, newer prime mover generators, and, final drive motors.
Or, am I wrong.?🤔?.... Please advise.!🧐!.
My four-year-old loves your videos.
thank you for making them
Dang i will always love these trains and im looking forward to work for the railroad
This will help a lot!! Thanks Coaster :D
You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
Now I know the difference between a GE and EMD locomotive! I have heard of how the EMD GP and SD locomotives are different (as well as the GE B/C thing, plus how the GE standard cab is different from the EMD one), but thanks to this video, I can now check out the locomotive to see what manufacturer it is, even with modern wide-cabs. The wide-cabs and the engine sounds are different, and so, I can add these hints to my array of railfanning tips. Where an EMD SD70ACe ends and a GE Evolution begins.
You seem very informed but having trains run by and saying this or that about it is confusing. It be nice to see photo diagrams of the differences point out.
Wow what a good video. You are one very smart young man!!! I'm glad you don't have us take a test. I think I will have to watch this series several times.
Forgive me if someone has already stated this, but another way to tell EMD from GE is the fuel tanks. The EMD have a curved fuel tank, or, in the case of the SD70ACe, a lightly chiseled “curved tank”. The GE fuel tanks are very much chiseled with air reservoirs embedded into the fuel tank on the right side (engineer) of the locomotive. There are a few exceptions to this, but, for the most part, this visual indicator works.
That is another good example. There are a few different things that I could have used, I just decided to go with the trucks, nose/cab, and radiator. But the fuel tank is a very good example, too.
Very informative. Loved it. I'm working on starting my own HO scale model train layout and it will be nice to know the differences in the locomotives. Thankyou.
A wonderful breakdown. I had no idea that General Motors and General Electric were direct competitors in the diesel market, even if they're not any more.
Very interesting. Diesel history is just as cool as, even if less romantic than, steam history.
From what I know, there was initially famously Alco that collaborated with GE to make the famous PA passenger diesels, and former steam manufacture Baldwin and Fairbanks Morse that also competed in the early first generation diesel market. As we all know, EMD and GE won the battle and continued to compete until probably recently.
Great Video, Mike! Can't wait to see the other parts!!!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks, a good simple guide to identifying wide cab U.S. locomotives.
Thanks Mike! The video quality of this video is one of the best I have seen on YT! Thanks also for the tips on GE v EMD. We have both here in Australia, but I think they may be modified versions - not sure though. Need someone to do a video like yours on the different GE and EMD Locos in Oz! Will be checking out your other videos - thanks again - Stu
Nice video! I really like the RS3L horn at the beginning! I do want to add a couple more features about the EMD’s and GE’s. In the EMD series, all of them (minus the Tier 4 ACe and SD90) use 2-stroke engines, while all GE’s use 4-stroke engines. Also, there are 2 ways to distinguish DC traction GE’s from their AC counterparts: the DC GE’s have either the floating bolster, “Adirondack” (for the six-axle Dash 8’s), or High Adhesion trucks, while the AC GE’s have either the latter trucks or steerable trucks and their traction motors make a sort of moaning noise. Lastly, one way to tell EMD’s and GE’s apart are their air compressors: the former locomotives have regular sounding air releases, while the latter have a unique “whooping” noise every few seconds.
Those are good points! Thank you for adding that!
This a beautifully well done video with great examples. Thank you!
you haven't mentioned the variation to the front of the ge's delivered to rio tinto in north western australia. (i wouldn't really expect you to have noticed. they're not in north america). rio tinto must have ordered the spec especially for themselves. they have what i believe is called teardrop shaped windows with the nose lines adapted to suit.
Nice video. It is helpful to listen to the engine sound to tell the difference. I have always thought EMDs had a nice humming/whining sound while GEs have a big roaring sound
I used to be good enough to identify by sound. I still can tell an SD40, GP38 and Alco from a mile away. I will never forget the SD40.
This video was extremely helpful! Thank you!
I have heard of the SD70ACE, the EMD SW8, the GP30, and the Dash-8.
You should do a Train talk about ALco, It'd be interesting for sure :D
They have a few in northern PA and NY on Western New York and Pennsylvania.
10:10 I think it’s actually an SD40-2.
Gotta love that gevo sound
Good video. Good overall general description of the differences in the most common locomotives.
You forgot about the EMD DDA-- series?!?
I love ur wooden train vids!
I love the GP15-1 locomotives.
They're pretty neat!
This is a very INFORMATIVE video!! Thanks for sharing!!! :D
Thanks, Gary! Glad you liked it!
So many great trains...👍
I always enjoy your train talk videos and learn something from them. I really like the shot at @14:55. I've railfanned at Clifton, VA alot and it is a nice spot.
Thank you so much! And yes, Clifton is a nice spot!
Great video .. pleasure to watch .. and learned a lot in the process .. thank you ..
That’s a good video. I’ll be able to tell the difference between freight locomotive from now on. Someday in the future we might have electric locomotive on freight routes.
There are a few of them on some regional railroads, but that's about it. Maybe more in the future, probably as battery units more likely than not. Thanks for watching!
when they have multiple headers , with different companys locos , how do they decide who pays the diesel ?? must get confusing .Thanks for sharing this , I am interested in diesel traction in US but I dentification is a bit of a mystery . Wales UK.
There is a company owned equally by the seven large railroads in North America called Railinc which operates a database of every locomotive and freight car in North America including their relevant specifications called UMLER (Uniform Machine Language Equipment Register). It also maintains a database of the last reported position of each item on that register. Each locomotive and car has an RFID tag on both the side sills, which is read by sensors along the line. Each railroad maintains a listing of the locomotives and the time it moves from their railroad to one of the other six railroads (seven if you count Ferromex in Mexico). The numbers are count by hours times the horsepower of the locomotive. At the end of each month the Accounting departments compare what each railroad owes each of the others. Usually much of the numbers cancel out, but if necessary money changes hands. Also if say BNSF sends a loco to NS and then NS sends the loco to CSX, BNSF considers NS as the debtor until they get it back while NS will charge CSX for the BNSF loco it sent to CSX.
Great video Mike. My favorite GE locomotive I like is the Dash 8-32BWH
Thank you, Nate!
You’d better take Dramamine before riding in one though. The trucks they have are very poor riding.
8:25 8:26 B units help a lot! They give a train more power when moving!
Very good video. It was very helpful. Thank you!
Great video! Very informative and you have answered a lot of questions I was wondering about. Thanks!
11:19 They should replace the logo lettering with PNWR on all Portland and Western locomotives.
My favorite is the Special Duty locomotives
The SD's are awesome.
@@CoasterFan2105 agree
Great video and very informative. I thought the "Dash-2" on the SD38-2 and SD40-2 referred to the extended frame and not upgraded controls
Brilliant video, Mike, particularly for those of us in the UK. We are virtually dependant on programs like this to provide the information we need to do our modelling. So, this video gives a good, easily digested overview. Many thanks and I'll look for further releases.
Very very well made video, I've always appreciated your videos but this is one of the most helpful and my favorite videos
Since this movie GE Rail is now part of Wabtech and no longer part of the GE family of companies