Talk:GE U28CG

GT 586 generators
The Extra 2200 South Santa Fe roster in issue #130 states that the U28CGs had GE GT 586 generators. These would have to been from trade in units. Santa Fe had RSD-7 and RSD-15 units that used the GT 586. --SSW9389 (talk) 12:42, 29 March 2017 (UTC)

U28CG & U30CG ATSF RY
To my knowledge the U28CG & U30CG units were not the direct cause of the derailment of the rear end of train #23 on Houlihans Curve MP 133 on Edelstein Hill west of Chillicothe, IL. The trucks of that type of new design were suspected and the units were demoted to slow freight service (55 MPH) for a period of less than a year until the ATSF completed extensive testing. Then they were restored to some passenger use until Amtrak and fast freight including the Super C at top speed of 79 MPH. I worked with these units as a brakeman and conductor on the Illinois Division and took color slides of these units including the test runs on Edelstein Hill. I am positive that the two units pulling #23 on Feb 9, 1969 were U28CG units, BUT since I was taking photos on the Western Pacific Keddie Wye that day I will defere to those who have 1st hand knowledge or have photos. The only photos I have seen of that wreck were of the rear coaches turned over on the outside embankment of Houlihans Curve at MP 133 taken by my friend and fellow conductor R. D. Johnson. I also worked with the rear brakeman, Kenny Caldwell, who was working #23 that trip and rode the car over the side of the curve. No serious injuries occurred. How they suspected that type of trucks on the U28CG could have caused the rear cars to derail is still a mystery, but the ATSF tests must have been inconclusive as we never did hear what caused the rear cars to derail. Speed was also questioned but speed tapes confirmed the train was at the 55 MPH restriction for passenger service from MP 133 to MP 136. Freight was 50 MPH on Edelstein Hill. The curves were super elevated. Thank you, Steve Rippeteau, retired conductor ATSF/BNSF 1965-2007 Illinois Division. railscenes@q.com Railscenes (talk) 23:10, 12 March 2019 (UTC)