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Reply to "Diesel on fire"

GE locomotive have two issues in this area that the EMDs do not have.  One is external fuel lines on the prime mover that when they fail, can and often do spray fuel on hot engine components and cause a fire in the engine compartment, causing the scorched paint on the middle of the hood, as so often seen on GE locomotives.  Another issue that happens at least through the Dash-8 series, (unsure if a Dash-9 or Gevo will do this), is that unlike an EMD turbo, the GE turbo is strictctly exhaust gas driven.  Under certain conditions, if the throttle is reduced for a few seconds and then suddenly notched back open, the turbo lag can cause unburnt fuel to accumulate and then ignite in the exhaust stack in a momentary volcano of fire, which seems to be pretty harmless.  I used to catch GE led NS freights westbound on the Wabash at NE interlocking in Fort Wayne do this once in great while.

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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