Robert,
I spent a lot of time around La Grange during my career and, to a
lesser extent, around London. I don't know exactly how much diesel
fuel EMD kept on hand, but I would guess around 100,000 gallons.
Their daily demand for diesel fuel in addition to testing new
locomotives, included engine test (at least five test cells),
engineering locomotive test, a five engine stationary power
generation site for durability engine testing, engineering engine
development testing, two shop switcher locomotives (SW1500s at one
time) and equipment testing such as injectors and governors. EMD's
primary heating, steam and air requirements were met by a large coal
fired power plant (it did not generate electricity). Most shop
equipment, such as fork lifts, were either electric battery powered
or propane powered for the large ones.
New locomotives underwent extensive operational load test and some
track testing before delivery. I don't recall the specifics, but I
would estimate at least 8 - 12 hours of loading testing at various
throttle positions. London's fuel requirements were (are) somewhat
less. They do no engine testing and do not have engineering engine
development function (all engine development and testing is still
done at La Grange). Their primary fuel demand is primarily for
locomotive testing. Unless the customer ordered a full fuel tank with
their new locomotives, EMD normally put enough fuel in the tank to
complete testing. I am sure it was a measured amount, but I don't
know what that amount was. When testing was complete, any residual
fuel was left in the tank. I am not aware of any effort to ship a
certain amount of fuel in each tank.
Bill Barber
Gravois Mills, MO
On Aug 14, 2011, at 2:29 AM, CBQ@yahoogroups.com wrote:
> Re: Drop Steps On Diesels
> Posted by: "Robert munshower" bearmtnbob@yahoo.com bearmtnbob
> Sat Aug 13, 2011 6:00 am (PDT)
>
>
>
> New motors were always delivered from EMD or GE with 1500 gallons
> of fuel or less, back in the day it was done that way to prevent
> condensate from forming in the tanks and to keep theft to a
> minimum, also the minimal amounts provided that some fuel would
> always be in them regardless of where they might sit for how long.
> We used to find in audits that other railroads, while saying they
> filled the tanks often fueled them to 90% or less. Low fuel levels
> also helped prevent other roads from using them while enroute to
> us. Anyway, one has to wonder what amount of fuel was on hand in
> storage tanks at LaGrange, Erie or Ontario?
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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