How come freight train companys do not use Genesis engines? at over 4,000 hp you would think they are up to the job.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Possibly the short answer is that the frame of a "Genesis" locomotive is analagous to that in your (or your family's) automobile. It is a "unibody", which in the case of the locomotive is known as "monocoque".
There are reports at other rail forums suggesting that even the stresses of pulling passenger trains has caused "metal fatigue" in some of the units.
Railroads would be no more interested in acquiring locomotives with this body style for freight service that would a trucking company in acquiring highway tractors with "unibody" construction.
Posted by jb17kx (Member # 3978) on :
Becasue GE designed them for passenger service. It has to do with tractive effort, etc.