Detroit Diesel History review

[chessie4905]

Good reading for we that are fans and those who prefer anything else.


http://www.dieselduck.info/historical/01%20diesel%20engine/detroit%20diesel/#.WM8eS3IpBJ9

[DoubleEagle]

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.

[CrabbyMilton]

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.

[TomC]

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

[CrabbyMilton]

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.

[chessie4905]

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.

[TomC]

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

[CrabbyMilton]

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.

[Lee Bradley]

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

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