Re: Newfoundland NG Diesel threatened

There seems to be some miscomprehension about Diesel-Electrics on here and the ability to have the gauge changed is only a matter of dollars and determination. Smaller Traction Motors and narrower Bolsters along with new Axles will soon change that.

We had GMD G8 down here as our D^B class, some were upgraded into D^BR with low nose and 645V8 rated at 950hp, both classes rode A-1-A Bogies. In the DBR version, these willing little locos proved excellent on secondary Passenger trains but lacked the grunt on our steeper grades with a standard length Passengertrain.

The G-8 also wouldn't be as wide as a K-36 and about as powerful as a A^B class Pacific. Not quite what the D&S needs.

We had one for a couple of weeks during the late 70's after our Shuntloco packed up, these DB's were normally at that time running the old East Coast Main Trunk and had just been made surplus with the new Kaimai tunnel opening which alleviated the 1:50 grades, 25mph curves and light bridges.
The raucous, lesser muffled V-8 was totally different from the Caterpillar powered Shunter we had assigned and even totally different sounding to the bigger brother V12 D^A. Being road units they loaded slowly and thus required a help out in using the higher notches for shifting rakes and kicking.

This caused many a sleepless night for the whole town, the Stationmaster fielding a large number of complaints each morning: oh, so many in that little town didn't realise we actually worked the Yard at night.... and we made sure they were on notice after that, Ha ha!