Good reading for we that are fans and those who prefer anything else.
http://www.dieselduck.info/historical/01%20diesel%20engine/detroit%20diesel/#.WM8eS3IpBJ9 (http://www.dieselduck.info/historical/01%20diesel%20engine/detroit%20diesel/#.WM8eS3IpBJ9)
That is a good article, but you should edit your post, I don't think you meant for "those who prefer anything but", you might ruffle the feathers of Screaming Jimmy lovers. Thanks for uncovering the article.
Very interesting and informative about DETROIT DIESEL.
I can't seem to ever tell what the engine type is when I hear a locomotive but perhaps I need to listen more closely from now on.
71 series was also made in 1-71 and 2-71.
Easy to hear the difference between a EMD 2 stroke engine and the GE or even EMD (now owned by Caterpillar) 4 stroke. 2 stroke has a nice hum, the 4 strokes have a chugging, lower sound. Good Luck, TomC
I figured that chugging sound had something to do with a 4 cycle. It's just that there is the generator and turbo sounds that often drowns out the engine sound. So the 2 stroke locomotive engines are going the way of the square wheel and 8 track too huh? Thanks for the confirmation Tom.
Going to be quite a while before they go. Norfolk Southern is rebuilding scores of their locomotives instead of buying new. Much info on Facebook at Altoona Works.
The 710 series of EMD 2 stroke engine (just giant 71/92 Series) are still popular in 49 states and around the world. Renowned for their power, economy and responsiveness, the 2 stroke EMD is not going away anytime soon. Push boat and Tug boat operators love them for their responsiveness as compared to a 4 stroke. Not uncommon to see 2 or 3 in a push boat on the Mississippi River. Sounds just like a train slowly going by. And used for generator plants.
Just as the giant 2 stroke engines used in container ships are not going away. 4 stroke engines cannot go much above 40,000hp because of too much reciprocating mass, 2 stroke engines are available all the way up to 14 cylinders and 108,000hp. Now also have super long stroke engines that have 39" bore x 135" stroke (yes that's over 11ft!) at 82rpm. Good Luck, TomC
Every time I hear a "newer" locomotive as Tom described it as chugging, it actually sounds like it's not running on all cylinders. Now most 4 strokes are smoother than that and certainly more so than years ago but locomotives really sound almost sick with that sound.
Not complaining but now I'm getting more curious.
Here in Washington state, most of the ferry boats are diesel/electric with four 16V-710 EMD generator sets in the bigger boats.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Puyallup (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Puyallup)
The Chimacum is currently under construction with a pair of EMD 12-710 so they aren't quite dead yet.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Chimacum (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Chimacum)