GE 70-ton locomotive diesel engine replacement

Jason Midyette · **Posted:** Thu May 21, 2009 12:13 am

Has anyone ever tried using a different diesel engine in a GE 70-ton locomotive?

Given the Cooper-Bessemers penchant for chucking rods through the block and the exhorbatant cost of rebuilding a Cooper-Bessemer, I was wondering if anyone had ever pursued the idea of re-engining a 70 tonner or are they all doomed for static display once the inevitable hole in the block is created.

Jason Midyette

jasonsobczynski · **Posted:** Thu May 21, 2009 12:23 am

Cat 398 engines have been used with great results on about 6 GE locomotives.

Jack A. Siffert · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:11 pm **Posts:** 373

We have the perfect solution for this. It is tier 3 compiliant. It would be elagible for federal funding.The full package would make the engine pull more than before. Plus you would not have any of the problems with Cat engines. The only way you can buy them now is used or remaned. Cat will not sell new to anyone for use in locomotives.

Andrew Durden · **Posted:** Thu May 21, 2009 8:42 am

Can parts be had (at a high cost) for the Cooper, or are you relegated to scrounging for used stuff in decent shape?

Jason Midyette · **Posted:** Thu May 21, 2009 11:29 am

The locomotive in question already has a dandy hole through the block. From what I know, cooper-bessemer blocks and/or complete engines make the bailout of AIG look cheap, especially for a locomotive that serves no real purpose other than as a display. That said, it would be nice to make it operational if a reasonable cost option is available.

Jason Midyette

NH0401 · **Posted:** Thu May 21, 2009 12:41 pm

The only engine I know of that approximates the Coopers' speed vs. torque curve is the Alco 6-251. Many years ago, the L&N did one of these conversions at South Louisville Shop.

The loco, numbered 98?, served as the plant switcher for the Tropicana Distribution facility at Kearny, NJ for many years.

That said, I believe you have answered the question for yourself.

DPK

mnowell · **Posted:** Thu May 21, 2009 9:17 pm

In the earlu 80's, the Thurso Railway in the western part of Quebec, Canada re-engined a 70 tonner with a 600HP Cummins Truck engine and a speed reducer between it and the generator. There is a bit of a story on it here
http://www.railways.incanada.net/thurso/tnvrloco.htm#no.13

It still survives, now in Ontario leased to Babcox & Wilcox in Cambridge.

The crews observed after the fact that it didn't have the same pulling power as the other 70 tonners on the line, but it was none the less successful for the intended use. Incidently the other former CN 70 tonners on this line had been re-engined with CAT diesels much earlier on.

Hope this helps