North Carolina NCDOT-Amtrak Piedmont Service

Makes sense, that offers a lot of grade crossing protection in push mode. And I think they're better than F40's as even the first gen F59's have safety cab design that the F40's don't.

electricron wrote:Not if 5 of the 7 newly ordered F59PH locomotives are to converted into CAB cars.
NCDOT will have
2 F59PHI locomotives purchased over a decade ago
2 F59PH locomotives purchased, refurbished, and placed into service years ago from GO
2 F59PH locomotives purchased recently and yet to be refurbished from GO
5 F59PH locomotives purchased recently that still need to be converted into Cabs from GO
That adds up to 6 locomotives and 5 cabs.
The five cabs may look exactly like the locomotives on the outside, but their diesels will be removed as they are converted into cabs - eliminating a lot of deadweight the sole locomotive on the trains will have to pull or push.

They already have FOUR ex-GO F59PH's in service and have bought another seven, two of which are to be refurbished which makes 6, plus the 2 F59PHI's, that makes 8.

1810 - http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 672&nseq=6
1859 - http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 12&nseq=10
1869 - http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 68&nseq=12
1893 - http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 681&nseq=5

jt42cwr wrote: They already have FOUR ex-GO F59PH's in service already and have bought another seven, two of which are to be refurbished which makes 6, plus the 2 F59PHI's, that makes 8.

1810 - http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 672&nseq=6
1859 - http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 12&nseq=10
1869 - http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 68&nseq=12
1893 - http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 681&nseq=5

Okay, I stand corrected; 8 locomotives and 5 cabs!

electricron wrote:Okay, I stand corrected; 8 locomotives and 5 cabs!

No worries

What is the status of #1755?
Does anyone know the numbers of the ex-GO units acquired this year?

Thanks!

Andy

twropr wrote:What is the status of #1755?
Does anyone know the numbers of the ex-GO units acquired this year?
Thanks!
Andy

It's still in service, there's photos of it in service at rrpicturesarchives.net dated June 1st.
It wasn't mentioned in the latest posts because it's one of the two F59PHI locomotives with the streamlined cabs.
It was also purchased new from EMD, and not purchased used from GO, which is why it wasn't mentioned as the recent discussion was listing those purchased from GO.

twropr wrote:Does anyone know the numbers of the ex-GO units acquired this year?

have a look at my post one page back, it may have some of what you need.

twropr wrote:Does anyone know the numbers of the ex-GO units acquired this year?

547 will become 1871
551 will become 1984

521, 536, 541, 542 & 546 will be converted to cab cars.

NCDOT is currently soliciting proposals to develop and certify a dual fuel EMD 710 locomotive (diesel and natural gas). While the engineering process which the RFP focuses on is not my area I did think it was interesting that one of the goals of the NCDOT research program was to reduce locomotive emissions in order to qualify for Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funding for rail operation.

Once again the Carolinian will add a stop at the NC State Fair this month. The Piedmont's will not stop (the schedule makes that largely pointless)

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/1 ... Dlu12PpVvA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And also at Lexington NC (LEX) on October 25 for the Annual Lexington BBQ Festival.

(Remember in NC BBQ is a noun, not a verb)

Has anyone discussed the new siding and line re-grading taking place between Fetner and Durham?

I've noted a number of the extended siding/double tracking projects on the bytrain.org website. I was mainly looking for any mention of 90 mph speeds, but none were to be found. I'm guessing 79 mph will remain the operating speed for the foreseeable future.

Well I might as well report that a new double track segment is being constructed between Fetner and Durham. It is 4 miles long and involves significant regrading to eliminate a number of 40-50mph curves. You can see some of the work right here.

http://old.wikimapia.org/#lat=35.875067 ... =0&m=s&v=9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Will trains be able to make the full 79mph through the [former] curves then?