Sherman Hill Loco Additions [historic]

Discussion in 'Suggestions' started by Challenger3985, Nov 28, 2021.

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  1. C30-7/C36-7

    9 vote(s)
    40.9%
  2. DD35/DD35A

    4 vote(s)
    18.2%
  3. DDA40X

    14 vote(s)
    63.6%
  4. GP30/GP30B

    1 vote(s)
    4.5%
  5. SD45

    6 vote(s)
    27.3%
  6. U30C

    6 vote(s)
    27.3%
  7. U50/U50C

    4 vote(s)
    18.2%
  8. GP35

    1 vote(s)
    4.5%
  9. GP20

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  10. SD24/SD24B

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. Challenger3985

    Challenger3985 Well-Known Member

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    Now with Sherman Hill released a question that does come to mind for a few is, can we have a Big Boy on the route? And the answer to that is, maybe one day but not for the Spirit of Steam (do you know how much time that's gonna take to build one in detail?). But the other question is, can the route be backdated to have classic locos on the route like the Diesel Legends have (just not reskins obviously)? And that is what this thread is about. While I already covered the modern era for Sherman Hill, now it is time to see what kind of classic locos can be seen on this route. And here are a few to fit the bill, which I've gone for the 70s and 80s settings of the route:

    C30-7/C36-7 (Ex-MP)
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    Built: 1977-1980 (C30-7) / 1985 (C36-7)
    Unit: 140 / 60 (C36-7)
    To start off is with GEs most successful locomotive at the time. Unlike the heavier, powerful units, these Dash 7s have been traveling across the Overlands as well as passing through Sherman Hill from time to time. Granted, this would mean that it'll be used for mainline hauls like the ACe for long and heavy freight, but it'll be a fantastic view to see a 4-6 unit train hauling along the Wyoming prairies with one of these two pulling along (before being retired since the 1990s).

    U30C
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    Built: 1972-1974
    Unit: 150
    Much like the Dash 7s for heavy hauls, but more reliable and challenging as a predecessor. (before retiring in the late 80s)

    SD45
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    Built: 1968 (SD45)
    Unit: 50 (SD45)
    Besides the SD40 that can also be used on the main track (before being resigned to local/switching), the well known SD45 can be a viable sub to be used as well. (before retiring in the 1980s)

    GP30/GP30B
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    Built: 1963
    Unit: 101 (Main) / 40 (B)
    And now for the oddball of the roster. While small in power, this unit can actually be used for some good road-switcher activity as well for some mainline haulage (as a B-Unit) with the other units too. (retired since the 1980s)

    There shall be a part 2 soon with the unique Double Diesels on the roster. But for now, this is what I think of as an idea for a historic Sherman Hill route. Now while many have already been retired by the time the 1980s rolled. But I was thinking about CRR when it's a bit of the 70s and 80s to the mix on the route, so I thought the same could be done as a separate timetable like the Diesel Legends. But hopefully, you did have yourself a good read, and don't hesitate to comment on here as well.
    (Just to remind a few that this suggestion is for a historic pack idea and not a heritage pack idea, thank you.)

    [Only 3 choice of units maxed per vote on the poll]
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2021
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  2. Challenger3985

    Challenger3985 Well-Known Member

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    Well, I did talk about single diesel units now it's time for some experimental double diesel action. And for Union Pacific, it's nothing to them (literally) comparing the might of Sherman Hill at the time. So time to see what's the best choices of DDs for this kind of era (which you may not like the result at the end of it):

    DD35/DD35A
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    Built: 1964 (DD35) / 1965 (DD35A)
    Unit: 25 (DD35) / 15 (DD35A)
    For EMDs part, is the well-known DD35s. Which is basically like two GP35s combined onto one long frame, with a four-axle truck. While seen on Sherman Hill, with teething troubles, makes me wonder why anyone would drive these beasts on these kinds of track, even when adding in the booster units later on as well. But doesn't matter since they've been all retired by 1980/81, and not a single one has survived.

    DDA40X
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    Built: 1969-1971
    Unit: 47
    Of course, the DD35s weren't the only DD units EMD made. Nicknamed the Centennial (for the Transcon Anniversary in 1969) they are the most powerful and most successful locomotives ever built. And while they're all retired since 1985, only a handful still remains, mostly on display (Except for 6936 as part of the heritage fleet).

    U50/U50C
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    Built: 1965-1965 (U50) / 1969-1971 (U50C)
    Unit: 23 (U50) / 40 (U50C)
    And now for GEs least successful attempt for DD power. After the Gas Turbines and during the UPs horsepower race, GE has experimented with their own DD units, built from two U25Bs on a single frame. But between the both of them, the U50C did no better as a successor, unfortunately, and both of them were still retired, since the 1970s for the U50, and 1977/78 from U50C and not a single one survived.

    And I know what some are you thinking, what about the Turbines UP had? Well, I am trying to keep this as a good historic range in the 70s and 80s as possible, as this period does seem fitting for Sherman Hill at the time (while some of these experiments were deemed failures for economic reasons). But if you want to see this route in the '60s or so, I'll may do a post about it (if there's interest). But for now, this is all the locos that can be seen and used on Sherman Hill for this kind of era. Whether they're gonna be made or not in the near future, who knows for sure.
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2021
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  3. driverwoods#1787

    driverwoods#1787 Well-Known Member

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    Chose DDA40X & SD45 because those have intact locomotives for sounds. UP SD45 will then serve as the base model for Horseshoe Curve SD45 Norfolk Southern version
     
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  4. jedi247

    jedi247 Well-Known Member

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    GP20s, GP35s, and SD24s would also be great for a 1960s-1990s-era Sherman Hill Route.
     
  5. Challenger3985

    Challenger3985 Well-Known Member

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    Well so far on the poll, no surprise the Centennial would be at the top. Honestly, I may have regretted putting in the DD units on the list, but then again it would be pointless not to have them be on the flat plans of Wyoming (I know many will agree to that). But next to the DDs I do see both the Dash 7s and the U30s are nearly neck and neck, it would be nice to see some old fashion GE models made for sure (hopefully not the same mistake as the Dash 8). But, who knows what's gonna be good as a historic pack for Sherman Hill when the time comes one day.
     
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  6. Challenger3985

    Challenger3985 Well-Known Member

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    As much as I don't like to expand further as it is. But since someone threw out these last-minute suggestions that I didn't list, I will have to finish it off now (Happy?). Now granted these do fit a little bit small, not in size but in power. But then again in the US, the more units on a train means the more horsepower to tackle the grade with (or fail depending on how you handle them), and here's the last leg units of this idea:

    GP20/SD24/SD24B
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    Built: 1959 (all 3 of them)
    Units: 30 (GP10) / 30 (SD24) / 45 (SD24B)
    If you have even seen a Turbocharged diesel locomotive, then the answer might probably be coming from TS1 (but I'm not gonna judge that). These two units were designed to have more power by turbocharging the engines, and these two (both the GP and the SD) were the first known to have them in the early days of diesels (First Gen that is). Of course, these two have already been retired by the early to mid-1980s, but I'm sure one of them is still hanging around long enough for sure. (While it may be odd to see an SD24B added along, but with the other Boosters already added why not add this one as well)

    GP35
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    Built: 1964
    Units: 22
    And last, but ultimately not least, the first loco to start the 2nd-generations of diesels (still depends) and the original cousin of the DD35s. While they have been retired by the 1980s, many are still hanging around from shortline/regional operators.

    And there ya go, the entire roster of UP locos that operates on Sherman Hill (minus the Turbines of course). Whether is for heavy hauls, locals or switching, I can see the many choices of loco variety for this route (from the 70s to the 80s) that will have all other routes a run for their money. But again, whether they be made or not that still remains to be seen for now. Until then, hope you enjoyed the suggestion.

    [Added these units to the poll]
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2021
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  7. jedi247

    jedi247 Well-Known Member

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    I'd also like to suggest the Alco C855, GP7/9, and SD7. and, for switching, an SW1500 or something similar. UP did have FM Erie-Built As/Bs, Alco PA-1/PB-1s, other FM switchers (H-10-44, H-15-44, H-16-44, H-20-44), FA-1/FB-1s, and other classic diesels that could be added.
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2021
  8. Challenger3985

    Challenger3985 Well-Known Member

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    Nope, sorry, no more units for this thread there's already plenty to satisfy a few at this point. So thank you, and goodbye.
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2021

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