Our museum has acquired a GE 100 ton center cab with 19.9/1 gearing, 33” wheels and GE 763 traction motors.

We need to know what the maximum speed is when the locomotive is towed dead in train.

Thanks, Randy

Can you disconnect the drive gears?

Randy:

You can disengaged the gearbox on the later model GE 110 ton locomotives.

To determine the maximum speed with it engaged, you will need to know the year it was built and the model of the gearbox.

Some of the GE built prior to 1971 or 1972 had a junk gearbox on them.

I moved an older GE 80 ton and it speed was a maximum of 30 mile per hour.
I restricted it to 20 mph in the train and the local crew kept it there.

The locomotive was built in 1964. It has a G-33-D2 double reduction gear box. The GE documentation for this locomotive (including overhaul instructions) does not mention being able to disengage the gear box.

Randy

All of our GE center cabs have a small plate on the control stand with maximum speed posted. Your plate may be missing, but it may be worth another look. It's a tiny plate!
Here's our 1967 GE 110 ton:

All the double reduction gearboxed GE's I have had to move are limited in the books to 20-25mph towed.

The 80 ton locomotives I have at Shaw have perpendicular motors, and are limited to 45mph in the books. But they have bolt on coupler pockets, so the local road won't move them in freight service, special train only.

My 1943 80 tonner has standard traction motors, (I forget the numbers) 40in wheels, and coupler pockets. Lucky for us, it can move in normal freight service, and has done so several times.

https://youtu.be/cWbI7QeIAZo

44 Tonners have an inspection plate that once removed, exposes the pinion gear. This gear is removable with a suitable gear puller. Once removed, the engine can towed at a higher speed. My former employer, the Middletown & New Jersey Rwy., had a puller furnished by GE for that gear. That was 30 years ago and I doubt the new owners have it now. The last time the puller was used was on an ERR 44 Tonner making it's last westbound move through Middletown, N.Y. The engine broke down before it reached Howells Jct. I was told the EL shop gang borrowed our puller so they could tow the engine dead in train. It was the middle of winter and those guys had to work on it on a siding. Pretty brutal working conditions. Removal is best done when the engine is over a pit. Hope this helps.

Our 44 Tonner had the exact same plate.

Randy:

I just talked with a man on these gearboxes and he said that the gearbox that you have is the good model and is supportable.

He also told me that the pinion can be removed from the gearbox for towing in a train.
It takes a special puller and 40,000 PSI to remove it.

He said if you tow that locomotive over 20 mph, then you are not only asking for trouble, but you are going to get it.

The traction motor will birdnest and then drag the wheels.
Traction motors cost $12,000 each.
Gearbox and wheel damage ????????

The man I talked with is in Pa. and has the tools and knowledge to do the job and they can fly someone out there to do the job, if you have some people to help do it.


You can contact me through RYPN if you like.

What is the OD pair for the move? Not sure I saw this in the posting. If you are looking to move long distance it is a different discussion than across town.

In the current environment if you are moving more than say 100 miles that could be covered in locals you probably need to consider flatcar.

Where are you coming from ?

Fred.

We are moving the locomotive about 80 miles within the Las Vegas Nevada area.... UP would prefer a flat car. The crane costs make that prohibitive and make road transport more appealing... We continue to work with UP... (who have been very responsive)

Could you ramp it onto and off of the flatcar, the way some MOW equipment moves?

Phil Mulligan

At 20 MPH the motor will be whirlin' around 4000 RPM.

I wouldn't trust a train crew to keep under 20 'no matter what'.

Ramp on to a flat is not an option... a ramp onto a truck might be.... There is a single crane on site to dissemble the plant but we would need a second to load.

And two at the museum to unload...

Cost containment is a real issue...

Randy

What does it mean that the traction motor "birdsnests"?