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RE: (erielack) RDC's

Yabbut, I believe (but do not KNOW) that those were one or two car trains, not longer trains, even
if the runs were fairly extensive.

SGL

> -----Original Message-----
> From: tonyhorn1_@_comcast.net [mailto:tonyhorn1@comcast.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 9:34 AM
> To: EL Mail List
> Subject: 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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> 
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