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I was talking to a source of mine from this particular railroad and he was telling me that glc is throwing around the idea of upgrading the gp35 trucks sets. Has anyone else heard that? What is everyone's thoughts on this?

What does he mean by upgrade? If your talking putting EMD (blomberg trucks) that would calls for cutting the center sill out of the frame, thats not happening. As far as rebuilding the Alco trucks, that was done on the 385, all new springs and wear plates, all of the Alco trucks have been rebuilt many times.

The cost of that would be astronomically prohibitive. It would be more effective to buy a new locomotive at that point.

What would be the benefit of replacing them? Do they not ride well?

I have heard the ride a little rougher than EMD Blomberg's but have a little more "bite" to them so a change, even if economically feasible, still may not make sense.

David Collins wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 21, 2022 2:18 pm

What would be the benefit of replacing them? Do they not ride well?

I could see why they'd want to; they do take more damage in a derailment than a "Blomberg" truck does, and component availability has to be tougher than for the "Blomberg" type. That being said, I don't know how different the bore on the pivot point is (if it is) and so on, so it may be cost prohibitive to make the switch - especially on nearly 60 year old locomotives.

The AlCo trucks have bigger, beefier traction motors. No sense changing them...REBUILD THEM.

David Collins wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 21, 2022 2:18 pm

What would be the benefit of replacing them? Do they not ride well?

If they are considering replacement I'd suspect it's the availability of parts.

My understanding is the frame is altered to accommodate the Alco trucks which, as SD80MAC said, is why it would be prohibitively expensive to replace them.

MSchwiebert wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 25, 2022 5:27 pm

I don't know how different the bore on the pivot point is (if it is) and so on, so it may be cost prohibitive to make the switch - especially on nearly 60 year old locomotives.

Changing trucks is do able. Look at the Conrail MT4 slugs built from RS11's. In photos from the 80's they are on Alco's Type B and in photos from the 90's they are on Blomberg trucks. Same for the MT6 slugs build from RSD12's. They are on Alco's Trimount trucks early on and later EMD Flexcoil's. With a bit of searching you can find photos of the same unit before and after.

When you have a Class One with lots of cash and shop resources it is very doable. But why do it? Probably be cheaper to lease much newer power.

We all know that LSRC has, and can get power when it needs it, or when a good deal pops up. So, why can't GLC seem to do the same? Seems like they are a little power short, or am I incorrect?

joeyuboats wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 27, 2022 5:32 pm

We all know that LSRC has, and can get power when it needs it, or when a good deal pops up. So, why can't GLC seem to do the same? Seems like they are a little power short, or am I incorrect?

GLC ownership doesn’t seem to be in the mood to do much investing lately

Heard it’s official! No more alco trucks! From a source GLC will be putting a stop to the GP35 rebuilds and start selling off all GP35s. Anyone have any idea who might be purchasing the 35s?

For it to be official, it would have to come directly from GLC.
They're going to start selling off the GP35's?
Maybe better to get some replacements on the property first?

FerrisRail wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 28, 2022 8:47 pm

Heard it’s official! No more alco trucks! From a source GLC will be putting a stop to the GP35 rebuilds and start selling off all GP35s. Anyone have any idea who might be purchasing the 35s?

You don’t know this. Stop spreading rumors.

GLC just recently released one or two GP35 overhauls so it seems there going to be around for a while

LSRC wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 28, 2022 9:24 pm

FerrisRail wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 28, 2022 8:47 pm

Heard it’s official! No more alco trucks! From a source GLC will be putting a stop to the GP35 rebuilds and start selling off all GP35s. Anyone have any idea who might be purchasing the 35s?

You don’t know this. Stop spreading rumors.

One, 385. They are working on the second one, 391, now.