A matter of interest for those operating EMD diesel locomotives:

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/catego ... ONS&isub=1

Very interesting. I wonder if we'll see Cat power coming in future generations of locomotives.

There are quite a few locomotives with Caterpillar 3512 and 3516 engines in service dating back as far as the mid-1990s. The new NJT dual mode locomotives will each have a pair of CAT prime movers. The CAT engines in locomotives are supported by the Caterpillar dealer network. With Progress Rail buying EMD it will be interesting to see how the distribution system is going to be arranged for existing EMD products, whether they will retain EMD's current distributors, use CAT dealers as distributors, or handle parts distribution only through Progress Rail. The answers should be evident shortly.

PC

Hello,

This transaction gives PR serious critical mass in their pursuit of the rail market. PR was already repowering medium duty locomotives with their 3500 diesels. It brings to question which engine PR will use for the large power...will they keep the EMD engine or will they use the CAT C280 (3616) diesel?

I recall that only (6) 3600's were put in rail power (3612's)...in the ill fated Morrison Knudsen MK5000C's.

For the midrange power , they now have the C175 series engines, 16 cyl to start but the serious engine is the C175-20 (20 cyl) diesel they use in the 797 mining truck. the C175-20 replaced dual 3512 diesels in this mining truck platform. The C175-20 must have a serious bottom end to take that level of abuse. The C175-20 is rated for just under 4000 HP.

Emissions is going to be another consideration. If PR feels CAT's path for compliance is better than the EMD design strategy, they may go for the CAT option.

CAT just dropped a huge investment in their LEC (Lafayette Engine Center). I am sure they would love to leverage more C280 production capacity for rail.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Regards,

Randy

Hello,

Per PCook's comments, since the PR decision to to be the sole source of CAT engines to the rail propulsion market, they also are sole sources of product support to my understanding unless they have agreements with specific dealers.....not throughout the dealer network.....for PR branded power.

With the EMD aquistion, should they mass install CAT's to a high enough degree, they may open product support back up to the dealer network to get the coverage......we will see.

Regards,

Randy

Owning a Cat powered locomotive, I can state this fact, They DO NOT support the older engines. The prices seem to make E.M.D. look like a good deal as well. Don't even get me started on 8 to 10 week lead time to get something up and running.
The local "power" dealer does not understand locomotives at all.
Time will tell.