I think I can I think I can (AKA Locomotive thread)

[Exodus_2pt0]

Since I got a good phone with a decent camera, I thought I'd share my big turbo.



My hand for size reference. (I have big hands)



Chuggachugga

Almost 2 years and I finally take a photo to go with this.

What's that in the dark?


Let's get a closer to look.


And for size reference, here's my big ass hand.


How many psi do you run? All of them.



All buttoned back up with new filters. These things are about 4x1 foot, and about 6 inches wide at the turbo inlet. Lots and lots of surface area for 20,000ft lbs worth of air.

[15Michaeljoseph]

Damn man you gotta update more. This is amazing. I love trains.

--Mike

[Exodus_2pt0]

This is where the magic happens. Going to be buried in a wiring schematic today. 480v contactor isn't picking up. (Powers the lights, HVAC, ect. on the coach cars.) This is actually the main cabinet, there's a few more in the back for the circuit im concerned with today. But I opened it all up and thought of this thread.


Found my home on the Railroad I think. Been over 2 years now and I actually look forward to going to work every day.

[LateFan]

^^^ Always keep one hand in your pocket!

[Exodus_2pt0]

When it doesn't have a short to ground, this guy pumps out 4,000 amps or so under full load.

But now we are tracking down a ground, and it isn't looking good for the generator.

[Exodus_2pt0]

I am a certified "Hostler" so as long as I have another Hostler to be my ground man, I get to drive them within the service track. Most of the time the night crew Engineer will leave it in front of the shop. That way we can do our inbound load and running tests, then pull it in for service.

Pretty awesome feeling moving a 280,000 pound machine.

[bikerbill2021]

And, snapped this one this morning. Early morning in the office today.

still as cool as always, still got me thinking about the future :D

so to get these things into your shop, do you personally drive them in? have a conductor drive them in? or some kind of "tug boat-esque" system and push them in?

[ttrousdell]

You have an awesome job OP. Ive worked with those EMD engines a lot. Old American muscle.
Although originally developed for trains a lot of them have found their way into tugboats. Ive worked on a few old boats from the 60s that had dual V16 EMD 645s. One was this one in Philly harbor.

Engine front

Rear of the engine coupled to reduction gears. On right out little detroit diesels for power generation.

Video i took interning.Turning the engine over on air. Roots blowers for forced induction.


Did someone say big turbos?

[Dozyproductions]

yeah man, you're serving every boys early childhood's fantasy. Keep this thread updated!

Now all we need is some one who works on a bagger 288 ;)

[15Michaeljoseph]

this is so sick man i love trains


--Mike

[Exodus_2pt0]

Been crazy lately. These locomotives have been moody.

Had a dynamic brake grid catch fire a few weeks ago. It was fun times climbing up to the top with a big ass fire extinguisher to save the multi million dollar equipment!

Then on the very next loco we inspected, during the outbound load test we had another set burn up. Luckily this time it opened up and the computer shut everything down before it became a hazard.


A little technical info as to what you are seeing. As we know the locomotive uses a diesel engine attached to a generator to power the 4 electric motors/axle sets. During some braking conditions, the motors become the generator in order to put a load on the axles and slow the locomotive without using the brake shoes. They are damn good at it so the energy is then routed to these resistor banks, and dissipated as heat. The energy is also used to power 2 blower fans.

The grids also serve another purpose. During load tests, the energy from the main generator is routed through them in the same manner.

And, snapped this one this morning. Early morning in the office today.

[15Michaeljoseph]

some neat stuff for sure!


--Mike

[Exodus_2pt0]

Saw these on the tracks that run beside our shop today.

[Exodus_2pt0]

Moar turbo



And that's just one of the baby twins on the 480V AC generator for the lights, A/C systems, ect.

[15Michaeljoseph]

So, what's the timing belt like? ;)

This is freaking awesome! I love trains and big stuff! trains are like these big, metal, hulking, giant, intimidating, creatures and I respect the shit out of trains. So cool to see what goes on behind the scenes!


--Mike