Re: Remembering Ernie - on the Chihuahua Mineral RR

Olaf Wrote
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>Re: 25KV , 4000 hp electrics ---not much relation with the 30 inch electric railroad to Santo Domingo, which operated at 600 volts. I take it that this was meant as a joke.


Certainly no joke Olaf, just a Driver's view of what must have been rather feeble horses. I ran GMD G-8's, our D^B class and their 1980's rebuilds, the DBR at 950hp and those were rather feeble compared to the GE D^X at 2600hp then on to the 25kv EF at 4000hp. Those brutes when new, could accelerate a 1100tonne (1200USton) train from standing to 80km/h in 500 metres on level track.

Given that Mexican units were 30" gauge and 600V overhead, there wasn't not a lot of room for developing power. That said, they were intended to deliver what appears to be 5 Ton Kopple Gabledumps and the picture shows 16, which might be around 100+ tons trailing per run. The grades are all in favour of the loads, and only Mty's returned back upgrade on what looks like a easier grade well below the Smoker's 3%, so there probably wasn't the need for more Juice x Cost. I wouldn't be too surprised if they had regenerative braking as well to cheapen the operation.