With the semi-recent release of the Yellowhead Pass route for TS, I've been thinking about Canadian National's very unique roster of locomotives throughout their history, and I was drawn to their large fleet of MLW (Montreal Locomotive Works) locomotives. Out of these locomotives, I would love to see the M420W as a 4 axle option for locals and priority freights, and the C630M as a 6 axle option for heavy freight trains added as future DLC with scenarios for Yellowhead Pass. Pictures of the M420W: Pictures of the C630M:
I'd buy it! I really like the old Alco/MLW locomotives. They are very unique and hard to find now a days. Even though I have two practically in my backyard, and more not too far away.
Alcos are really smoky because of the turbochargers. PAs were referred to as "Honorary Steam Locomotives" because of this. If these two CN MLW diesels are made, whoever makes them needs to get the smoke right. Also, I really want other Alco diesels, like an FA/FB, PA/PB, and other Centuries.
Indeed they are! It's known as "turbo lag." These turbochargers spin on a shaft and are driven by the exhaust gas from the locomotive's prime mover. Some of the older engines, (such as ALCOs and old GE like Dash 7's) emit unburned fuel in the exhaust, causing this volcanic smoke. I believe this is because they spin freely on this shaft.
I do agree that whoever makes these Alcos should get the smoke physics on point as they don't just constantly spew out tons of black smoke like that, mostly when notching up or under heavy load do they go crazy with smoke.
Here is one of the local railroads near me that use Alcos. (They are sadly getting replaced as the rr gets ex CSX AC4600CWs). Because of the various steep grades, there are lots of opportunities to get awesome smoke shows.
Yeah,it's nice. Of the 4 rr's near me with Alcos/MLWs, this is the only one with steep grades allowing awesome smoke shows. Although the Falls Road Railroad RS-18 is a close second. I got lucky and got to see a pair of their ex Cartier Railway M636's. Sadly they are being replaced by ex CSX AC4600CWs. I saw a pair a couple months ago. They look good in the WNYP black & yellow!
4!!! JEEZ!!! living in San Diego, i don't think there are any RR's with Alcos within like 200 miles of here.
Falls Road Railroad (Owns a RS-18 and RS-32. Also runs excursions with their RS-32) Buffalo Southern (Has quite a collection of Alco & MLW locos) Depew Lancaster & Western (Has a pair of RS-18s. Not sure if the S6 is still there. Western New York & Pennsylvania Also has a huge collection of Alco & MLW locos. (They have now been sidelined since the arrival of 6 AC4600CWs). Not sure what the fate of these ancient units will be.
You could not have put it any better. No joke, Im pretty sure the last freight train I saw was right at the beginning of the year coming out of the BNSF yard in downtown, mostly because I don't go to downtown too often. But hey, Im going to Flagstaff this weekend so maybe I can see another (hopefully going a bit faster than 10 mph).
Man, the last time I saw a freight train was October 2019 while I was at a friend's birthday party in Mission Bay. I've been dying to get out to Cajon Pass these pst few months to see some big time freight action.
Meanwhile the local shoreline here in Central California has mainly rebuilt Tier 4 units (SE24Bs & PR30Bs), only thing interesting is an Ex-CN GP40-2LW. If I wanted to see an Alco, I would have to visit one of the Railroad Museums in California.
well not proper you got to make it so it puts on a show with a lot of smoke when the throttle is in notch 8!
That's......... what I meant. You throttle an ALCo or MLW up quickly, it's gonna put on a smoke show, so to have that properly simulated in the game is practically an unspoken requirement for any possible ALCo/MLW loco DLC's.