Objectively speaking, GE's product is a proven product. If not, they would not have sold thousands of Dash 8s or Dash 9s (and arguably the AC4400CWs) to every Class 1 in North America. Other than personal opinion, I don't understand why some people call them "junk."

They are painting the engines as they rotate into Juniata or Chattanooga. It simply doesn't happen in sequential road number order.

They are good road engines. Many engineers and conductors have expressed this personally to me. However, they do agree that GEs (not just Dash 9s) do not load as quickly as EMDs and are thus considered sluggish during switching operations.

As far as I am concerned, it is logical to purchase what you know works for you in large volumes as it makes repairs and replacement parts a much more efficient proposition. So to those who just whine about it---waaaahhhhh.

On the other hand, I am concerned that with so many GEs and so few EMDs being purchased, it presents the distinct possibility that EMD could get out of the business. On this end, I think UP intentionally ordered the 1,000 SD70Ms instead of a GE product in order to keep EMD in the business as a viable competitor to GE.

Well, enough rambling from me!

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Jeff
Norfolk Southern CNO&TP Home Page