Does anyone know of anywhere that has the Operator Manual (and ideally any maintenance manuals) for GE 50-ton Center Cabs?

I'll check my library when I get home. Any idea which prime movers?

dave

Awesome. Unfortunately I don't know off the top of my head which prime movers but could probably find out by next week.

I have a manual on the D17000 I saw recently so its probably near the top of the pile if that's whats under the hood.

dave

two traction motors or four traction motors on the locomotive?

Two, with the two outside axles chain-driven.

Edit - Side note: It's listed now as being a 44-ton, but was originally built as a 50-ton, so it may have some goofy non-standard stuff going on but I'd like to see what the base configuration was supposed to be like.

Edit - Also, the controls bear little resemblance to any 44-ton I've seen.

Most likely a 45-tonner ballasted to 50 tons (either thicker deck plate or actual ballast).

What it had for prime movers would probably be a Cummins of some sort, possibly a H6 or maybe a 220 or maybe even some 855, all depending on year of construction and whether it was rebuilt over the years. Expect to find a GT1503 or maybe a GT1519 main generator with maybe GE733 traction motors. Probably a 300 HP unit.

There is a generic maintenance/operators manual that GE published and was reprinted many times over the years. Last I know, Logan Corp. had them for sale. That manual covers multiple locomotives but dates from the late 1940's so it lacks the later versions. Some of the manuals have made it to the internet and exist on fan-based sites. I don't recall the sites at the moment but a search will have some pop up. Plus, FleaBay has the manuals from time to time. They can be reasonably priced.

PM me if you need more.

Rob

I'll try and find the exact details on it, but I won't be out that way again until this Saturday. In the meantime I've e-mailed some of the other folks involved. The controls on this look about the most similar to it of anything I've seen, although there are still a few differences:

http://www.railtrusts.com/details.aspx?id=1

It also doesn't have steps up to the cab (you just step up through the door), and the ladders on the corners are below the deck plate instead of inset into it. The handrails are plain right angles and do not have upward loops around the ladders. I know a bit more about how it's wired and plumbed and some of the operational characteristics of it (engine #2 starts harder than #1, that sort of thing), but I doubt that'd be helpful at this point. Like I said, I'll try and find more exact details this weekend, but that's about all I've got for now.



Very cool - may have to pick one of those up even just for my own curiosity. This, however, is a 1957 model, so it sounds like it probably wouldn't apply. Certainly a good lead to go on, though - thanks!

That's a late version 45-tonner, at least in outer form and overall arrangement. It may very well weigh more than 45 tons ("how much does a 45-tonner weigh?").

The control panel is pretty typical GE, with the addition of a 26 brake valve bulking large in front.

The "classic 44-tonner" is a very different locomotive, built for railroad standards: 4 traction motors, geared for 30-35 mph, heavier frame, higher cab, 100% duty cycle.

The 45-ton units are industrial locos, with 2 traction motors, a mechanical transmission to two axles (side rods or chain drive), 20 mph normal top speed, and 50% duty cycle.

Howard P.

Entirely possible. It's listed as 50-ton as-built, but as Rob mentioned earlier it may have been ballasted.


That sounds about right. It has a plate on the control panel that says something to the effect of "do not exceed 20 MPH".

Well, knowing that I think I may have found an answer to pursue:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26905

Ours looks exactly like the 45-ton in that video (edit - with the exception of the side rods), so I think I may try going that route. Thank you for the help everyone!

Judging from the pictures, that locomotive probably dates from the late 1950's with the control panel from that time period. Our 65-tonner had the same panel until it got rebuilt. The electrical cabinet shot is interesting with the 2 boxes on the back wall being the Leece-Neville voltage regulators (vibrating points). On the earlier versions, those boxes sat in the engine compartment.

Western Star is a good source. We purchased materials from them over the years and were always helpful a responsive. There are still many of these locomotives out there, many in industrial service yet as the engines are truck engines and the electrical gear is rugged and easily repaired. Some outfits "rebuild" them, modifying the electrical system with "improvements". Be aware that the one end of the traction motor is lubricated by the gearbox oil and it needs to be full.

Rob

Try Western Star Rail Services, Newark, OH 740-344-3336. They have been more than helpful with Pennsylvania Trolley Museum's 25 ton GE.

Just heard back: Cummins IBH-600 (aka 220 Series)

And it looks like Western Star Rail Services does have manuals for similar models. Any other sources I can check?

I think we, Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum, can help as I think I was successful in obtaining 45-tonner manuals from the query back in 2009 along with some other manuals some of my fellow volunteers may have found/purchased since then. I have been finding manuals for so many of our pieces of railroad and construction equipment, I am a little fuzzy on exactly what we have, but I will let you know. We are actively completing the restoration of one of our 45-tonners, ex-Rochester Gas & Electric #1941, so that type of engine is fresh in my mind. The engine has been receiving its finish paint over the summer, and we have just a few more details to complete before it can leave the shop under its own power. It is seen here in new paint having just had its replica RG&E logos applied.



More larger res pictures can be seen in one of our posts to our museum blog:
http://rgvrrm.blogspot.com/2011/10/logos-applied.html

So please stay tuned. I won't be back out to the museum until Saturday so it will be a few days. PM me with any questions.

Regards,
Chris Hauf
Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
www.rgvrrm.org