Drew could probably give you more detail on this matter but yes, Q-Tron
did supply all the electronics for the PTC upgrade. Incidentally, from
an
locomotive engineer's point of view, the PTC upgrade did make a lot of
difference in the performance of the engines. Our haulage capacity was
automatically increased so the CPR loaded extra tons on the trains. We
went up the hills a little slower with the extra tonnage, but we seldom
stalled. The PTC units were especially an improvement in rain or snow
operation. The lead axle would be slipping badly, as usual because of the
poor rail conditions, but our speed wouldn't decrease as much as with
a non PTC unit.
We were still governed by the short time ratings on the traction motors
which was sometimes hard to do because our ammeter would be
registering lower amperage if the traction motor it was monitoring
(# 2 axle, I believe) was experiencing slippage and thus amperage
reduction
to counteract the condition. Meanwhile, other axles would be getting
full
power. We were limited to a certain length of time loading at a certain
amperage so the experience of the engineer was called on to estimate
what the motors were actually loading at to determine the time limit.
From: "Rainer Auer" <auerr@...>
To Bob, Drew et al I appreciate your comments and the descriptions of the
workings of P.T.C.. My questions and terms of reference were based on the
terminology used in the "Canadian Trackside Guide". These twelve units are
upgraded SD40s to SD40-2 electricals, but definitely are not SD40-2s. As to
Q-Tron and whatever components they manufactured to enhance the tractive
effort of these units, I merely presumed there to be a distinction between
their components (as used in the SD40s) as opposed to those used on the
SD40-2 units. There were 24 CP SD40s (plus 5 of the ex QNSL SD40s) upgraded
to the 82,500 lb. rating.
The question then arises, did Q-Tron supply the Positive Traction Control
for the 208+ SD40-2s that had their tractive effort upgraded, or was this
equipment provided by another supplier? No, I won't bring RaiL...Amer...
into the picture.
Rainer
Bob Eley ?
Locomotive engineer
CPR Shuswap Sub
ICQ # 7813066
If there are no trains in Heaven, then I'm not going!
