CSXfoamer1997
OBS Chief
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2015
- Messages
- 575
Think of it. Building one version for regional services, AND another for Long Distance services. Even though these locomotives are said to be very fuel-efficient, the long distance locomotives would need more fuel to last the entire trip [hint: it would have a larger fuel tank (2,200 gallons on the long distance locos vs 1,800 gallons on the regional locos)] AND would also need to supply more HEP (Head-End Power) to the cars, because the long distance trains could possibly be longer than the regional trains [hint: feeding 1000kw of HEP from the long distance locos vs feeding 800 kw of HEP from the regional locos].Why build two different versions of the Chargers. Probably the only differences will be HEP capacity, fuel tank capacity, PTC installations. To not build all Chargers the same increases parts. Not having the greater HEP is just not very smart ( dumb ? ) Of course keeping the SD locos will tend to keep them from getting lost in the greater Amtrak system. But who knows what the Passenger system will be like in 10 years ?