What should the Frisco have purchased next?

Discussion in 'Diesel General' started by Iantha_Branch, Jun 15, 2010.

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What do you think the Frisco should have purchased next?

  1. SD50

    10 vote(s)
    12.0%
  2. C30-7

    6 vote(s)
    7.2%
  3. GP39-2

    5 vote(s)
    6.0%
  4. More SD40-2's

    26 vote(s)
    31.3%
  5. More GP50's

    9 vote(s)
    10.8%
  6. More GP15-1's

    8 vote(s)
    9.6%
  7. The whole BN System

    19 vote(s)
    22.9%
  1. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    This ought to be interesting......

    If the Frisco would not have been bought by BN and would have continued on into the 80's, what locomotive do you think they should have purchased next?
    Notes: say it's 1981
    The Frisco got there GP50's in O&W with Frisco (not BN) numbers.

    Here's some that I think would make good candidates:
    SD50
    C30-7
    GP39-2
    More SD40-2's
    More GP50's
    Turn more GP7's into GP15-1's
     
  2. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    SD 40-2s are my favorite diesels.
     
  3. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    The experience with the Frisco GP50's would have likely ruled out any SD50's.

    They probably would have replaced sick SD45's piecemeal with new SD40-2's or some of the new GE U-boats until the SD60 & higher models came along.

    More GP15-1's? Maybe, but there were enough GP38's and 38-2's available to step down to fill the lighter duty needs as new road power came on.

    But, who knows? Good question to ponder.

    Ken
     
  4. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    I thought 790-799 were delivered to BN
     
  5. Sirfoldalot

    Sirfoldalot Frisco.org Supporter Frisco.org Supporter

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    WGAS! Moot point. :mad:
    F-3's get's my vote. :eek:
     
  6. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    Ethan - They were, but they were purchased by the SLSF prior to the merger. That's why they carried future SLSF numbers on the books (as you noted) until the green wave hit in 11/80. They were delivered starting in 12/80.

    The GP50 was like the GP35 in many ways. The GP50's EMD 645 engine was stressed to its limit to get to its 3500HP just as the GP35's EMD 567 engine was to get to its 2500HP. Maintnenace dilemmas ensued with unacceptable regularity in both.

    Ken
     
  7. FriscoFriend (Bob Hoover RIP 4/12/2018)

    FriscoFriend (Bob Hoover RIP 4/12/2018) Passed Away April 12, 2018 Frisco.org Supporter

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    (1) The BN got rid of all 10 GP50's in fairly short order.

    (2) The Frisco preferred 4 axle power and stick to that trend.

    (3) Many of you will probably cringe at this, but I plan to look at neighboring similar roads purchases before I render my answer or opinion. The main comparison will be the MP, the KCS, and maybe the MKT. I can already predict where I think my findings will lead me and some of them are not in the poll. I am guessing I will find more GP15-1's, GP40-2's, more B30-7's to replace the aging U25b's, and the poll choice of SD40-2's (to replace the SD45's).

    Stay tuned!
     
  8. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    Agreed, it seems the Frisco did not care for 6 axle trucks. Account rail wear, HP per axle.
    SD40-2's were great units but just did not have the HP to maintain speeds in the higher MPH ranges that Frisco was famous for, so 4 axle units were great for the Frisco.
    I doubt they would have went for the SD 50 either. Don't know if the production run of the GP 40-2's was finished by then or not, but I think the Frisco would have bought more if they could have. One would also like to think they would have taken to the GP 60's like a duck to water.
    With the advent of self steering trucks (decreased rail wear), and the higher HP per axle, I also would think the Frisco would have jumped into the SD 70 market, spartan cabs of course. AC's I don't know, but I don't see the benefit to cost ratio for them on the Frisco.
    With none of my choices being in the poll, the closest would be the venerable SD40-2.
    my 2 cents
    Tom
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 15, 2010
  9. Brad Slone

    Brad Slone Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    For my two cents worth, I think had the Frisco lasted through the 80's and beyond I think they would have leaned towards the GP-60's for their time sensitive shipments i.e. piggyback and forth coming containers. Four B-B unit lashups similar to what to the ATSF and IC. However despite the Frisco preference of 4 axle power had they lasted long enough they would not be able to ignore EMD and GE going toward producing mainly six axle freight locomotives.
     
  10. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    I would agree to that, but I put the scenario at 1981, the GP60 didn't come into the picture till 1985.
    As for the six axle's, there's always the B40-8 which started in 1988.
     
  11. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    B40-8 is a 4 axle unit hence the B in the units class, and the (0-4-4-0) designation on the builders plate.
    Not going to get into a "Worlds Tallest Midget" contest here. It's all speculation at the very best, one thing for sure is it doesn't matter now.
    I do not know which model the carriers got rid of first, the B30-7's or the early phases of the GP 50's.
    Both equally miserable in their longevity.
    The later phases of GP 50's are still around as their HP ratings were dropped
    in line with their performance capabilities.
    I remember the early 80's (barely) and there was a recession going on.. not as bad as now, but bad enough.
    That's was when the major carriers were scrapping/ selling not needed or problematic surplus power. Kinda like now. Only not much new power was bought back then on any large scale till the mid-late 80's.
    With the traffic down turns that took place the carriers would have made do with what they had.
    Nowadays with the auto-start, electronic fuel injection power that is available, the carrier's that can, will replace older more in-efficient power when possible. The $$ saved on fuel alone, will pay for the unit over it's life span I am told. I have not bought any locomotives lately, so can only report what was told to me.
    The Frisco like many smaller well ran carriers, did not spend their $$ on power they didn't need.
    up to 4 cents now

    Tom
     
  12. HWB

    HWB FRISCO.org Supporter

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    Given time I beleive the Frisco would have found the SD40-2 more than adequate for their needs and went back to EMD for more to replace the SD45 fleet.
    When the GE B40-8 came out they would have looked long and hard at it. Santa Fe was buying them for TOFC trains and maybe the Frisco would have followed suit.
     
  13. FRISCO4503

    FRISCO4503 FRISCO4503 Frisco.org Supporter

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    In my opinion, and in Answer to the question "What should the FRISCO have purchased Next?" THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN RAILROAD!
     
  14. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    HERE HERE!! Well said. :):)
     
  15. trainchaser007 (Brandon Adams RIP 9/22/2017)

    trainchaser007 (Brandon Adams RIP 9/22/2017) Passed away September 22, 2017

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    Well, this may not be popular, but I'm one who would prefer stream over diesels (since I don't have to operate them). Obviously my preference is not in the list. If SLSF is dead forever, I would love to see BNSF 4-8-2's & some BNSF challengers.
     
  16. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

     
  17. trainchaser007 (Brandon Adams RIP 9/22/2017)

    trainchaser007 (Brandon Adams RIP 9/22/2017) Passed away September 22, 2017

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    Well if steam polution is out of the question...how about a diesel that looks like a steam loco but is actually a diesel? If we can send people to the moon, why can't GE build a diesel loco that looks like 4-8-8-2? It would be a diesel but to the casual observer, it would appear to be steam...even put all the exhaust out the stack! Instead of the rods turning the drivers, let the drivers move the rods back and forth.
     
  18. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    Not a bad idea. That would be cool to see, but I doubt the railroads would want to go through that much trouble for a simple unit coal train. Maybe for specials i guess.
     
  19. gbmott

    gbmott Member

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    They didn't really need more power right away and I don't think would have bit on the SD50 or more GP50's. Might have opted for SD60's, but more likely the SD45's would have hung around until eventually replaced by SD70MAC's (yes, AC's - the SLSF wasn't afraid of technology and they would have afforded the unit reductions that the SLSF understood very well). GP15's, GP38's and GP35's (derated, possibly even with the turbos removed) would have held down the local and branchline assignments. By now they would be running GEVOs and SD70Ace's like everyone else.

    Gordon
     
  20. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next???

    The GP35's and GP50's would make since. The GP38's didn't have turbos, they had Roots Blowers and were very reliable. The GP15-1 had a turbo, and was reliable. The EMD 35, 45, and 50 series diesels all had one thing in common, they went to far with the motor.
     

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