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Re: (erielack) RDC's

Understand the mechanics of all this, but didn't WP use RDCs on long distance runs as "Zephyrettes" in the 50s?

Tony Horn

- -------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Dale and Ev SBC <gobills_@_ncweb.com> 

> At 05:33 04-12-2007, you wrote: 
> >Date: Mon, 03 Dec 2007 23:15:07 -0500 
> >From: "Schuyler Larrabee" 
> >Subject: RE: RDC/DMUs was (erielack) BINGHAMTON-NYC 
> > 
> >First of all, the city is named BINGHAMTON. (statement from an 
> >annoyed native) 
> > 
> >Now, as to RDCs. For single car service, or even for two or maybe 
> >three car service, especially 
> >where one or two might go off some branch, RDCs were a good way to 
> >go. But, if you are talking a 
> >train of more cars than that, they are a CMOs nightmare. IIRC (and 
> >I might not) RDCs have two eight 
> >cylinder Detroit Diesels. Sixteen cylinders to maintain. Two cars, 
> >32 cylinders. Three cars, 48 
> >cylinders. It's a straight arithmetic progression. It's a heck of 
> >a lot simpler to maintain one 
> >locomotive with probably 12 cylinders (fewer than just ONE RDC) to 
> >haul the same number of seats 
> >than to maintain all those various moving parts. Cheaper, too. 
> > 
> >The B&M up here in New England used RDCs extensively, and it made 
> >sense when they were still 
> >handling a ton of branch lines. A train of say, six RDCs leaving 
> >North Station might head out to 
> >five or even six end point destinations. When the service cutbacks 
> >came, the whole concept began to 
> >fall apart. 
> > 
> >SGL 
> 
> 
> I once asked a CMO why run 6 car trains nights and weekends and not 
> an RDC or similar. He explained the RDC is viewed by the FRA as an 
> engine and must undergo 30 day inspections. Plus having 2 motors, it 
> meant 2 inspections for each car every 30 days. Not an efficient use 
> of his staff time said he. 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dale 
> 
> 
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