The New York subway system is enormous, which requires a fleet of work trains to keep the system running. On these trains the power varies from former Redbird cars to diesels. MTA has some old diesel switchers that I cannot identify, and some recently bought MPI MP8AC-3 locomotives.
I do have a question though. Are the diesels dual power like GCT locomotives or do they use diesel power in the subway tunnels?
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Just a presumption on my part, but I don't see how a diesel could be used in the subway. Look for a third rail pick-up shoe. In the second photo you posted, there seems to be a red piece on the forward truck. It's difficult to say for sure looking at the photo.
Dan Padova posted:Just a presumption on my part, but I don't see how a diesel could be used in the subway. Look for a third rail pick-up shoe. In the second photo you posted, there seems to be a red piece on the forward truck. It's difficult to say for sure looking at the photo.
I can see a shoe in this shot. I'd be willing to bet that electric power was a modification and not an original specification. But those locomotives are the perfect size for a subway. They have low cab roofs to clear the top of the tunnel, and their length is shorter so they can go around tight curves without the middle of the locomotive hitting the side of the tunnels. Unfortunately they are aging and are being replaced. In fact, the two locomotives in the picture are basically committing suicide as they are delivering the new model.
I certainly can't speak to every subway line - but just about every work train (not trash train) I've seen late at night along the D sounds (and smells) to be diesel. The yellow ones. Yeah, the platform can get rather foul, but the engine is usually shut off when they're sitting for a while at the platform.
I think I have seen a red, silver and blue loco once or twice. Can't say for sure what power it was running on.
Perhaps bluelinec4 will chime in....
David
NKP Muncie posted:I certainly can't speak to every subway line - but just about every work train (not trash train) I've seen late at night along the D sounds (and smells) to be diesel. The yellow ones. Yeah, the platform can get rather foul, but the engine is usually shut off when they're sitting for a while at the platform.
I think I have seen a red, silver and blue loco once or twice. Can't say for sure what power it was running on.
Perhaps bluelinec4 will chime in....
David
The newer locomotives are called diesel electric, but that doesn't do me any good because virtually all mainline locomotives are diesel electric.
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