Yep, I've done that once. Let's just say I've got a friend in the business ;). Two General Electric C44-9W's and one C40-8W. 4400 and 4000 HP respectively, for a total of 12,800HP on a 10,000 ton train. Both locos use the GE 7FDL16 four stroke V-16 turbocharged engine. The C44-9W has electronic injection and is computer controlled (hence the 400HP boost with the same engine), while the C40-8W has mechanical injection and is only somewhat computer controlled. I believe the rated output is reached at 1050 RPM. At that RPM, the seat in the cab is giving you a back massage from the pounding of the engine. Definately not the fastest diesel I've driven, but certainly the most powerful. These would be one of the fastest diesels in the US, but I've never had the opportunity to operate one: https://www.getransportation.com/general/apps/specsheets/Amtrak_Genesis_1/Genesis_1.htm

If you're into large engines like these, have a look at what GE is doing with their new Evolution series locos. The new GEVO-12 engine they built puts out 4500HP on 12 cylinders...and they say that it could probably do more HP without too much trouble.

Fastest has to be my 300D 2.5T. Never have gotten it up to top speed, but I have hit the 100 mark with it before. And it got up there pretty quickly for 121HP.

the 87 might be 6.5 turbo?

tom w

Hi Patric,

Next time you guys come down..I'll turn the fuel up a bit more & adjust the governor springs...we can go for another cruise ..the truck is loving this cool air..Whoooosh..:D

A Kubota L1500 tractor, 2 cylinder diesel. Anything that can pull a dead '84 300SD uphill at idle speed is powerful. IMHO.

Sold, after I found out it was a gray market model and no dealer would sell me parts for it.

SS United States, designed by Wm. Francis Gibbs has 241,000 HP Westinghouse diesel turbines that blasted the ship across the Atlantic
in 3 days, 10 hours, 42 minutes, setting the record. That is really powerful and fast.

Steve

The most powerful? Most likely this
http://www.portofhouston.com/assets/...u/samhopav.jpg

Long story short, we had a private family gathering on the boat. My uncle, who used to be on the Houston Port Authority took a few of us younger folks up into the cabin. I was the only one who volunteered to take partial command for a while. I did the steering, the captain controlled engines. It's powered by two marine Detriot Diesels I believe. Real fun!

The fastest diesel I've operated? Either a 1987 300SDL or 1987 300D, whichever has the higher top speed.

If you'll accept 'nearly' diesel (Jet Propulsion fuel JP-8), I work on, and occasionally ride cargo airplanes, putting out 44,000ft/lb per each of the 4 engines..
Top speed of 450 knots is up there a bit as well.

Wikipedia link to this toy

Do you have a friend at GE? If so tell him next time I apply for a tech position they should hire me. Seriously though they are a really cool company and make the most reliable locomotives around. As mechanics we only get to drive the locomotives without cars coupled up. I think an entire train would be fun!

Wow, the M/V Sam Houston sure has been around a while. In 1963 or '64 When I was 9 or 10, we toured the Port of Houston on the "Sam." Saw the Lexington (CV16) on that same trip...many years later Dad, Thing One and I spent the night on the Lex in the Air Boss' cabin.

Hmm, that is possible, but I doubt it, both my 86 and 87 pickups are 6.2 n/a... I thought the 6.5 came out with the new 88 bodies.
John

No (although I wish :P ), just a couple friends who are engineers at BNSF. Are you a mechanic with UP in Grand Junction?

I have a couple other friends who are avid EMD fans who would beg to differ with that comment about GE being the best. But I agree with you on their more modern models. And you can't beat that chest-pounding "GE chug" exhaust note! GE models from the 70's and early 80's were pretty bad when it came to reliability, but within the last 10 or 15 years they've really pulled up the quality with the Dash 9 series and the AC4400. And now the Evolution series has been pushing that standard even higher. Both of my "hogger" friends tell me that the ES44DC and ES44AC are two of the best locomotives they've operated since the venerable SD40-2 of the late 60's and 70's. Much quieter and smoother in the cab, very responsive engine compared to the slow-loading 7FDL, and great traction control computers. No wonder GE keeps pumping them out of the factory :cool:

i think for a while there you could get either one.

tom w

http://www.hino.com/businessinmotion/story_27.php

Drove the 585lb torque at 1500RPM engine, man, now I know why power corrupts.

gurka, what is that engine available in?

tom w

Tom,

I drove this in a prototype 4WD vehicle made for the Indian military called Stallion, but you can get this engine in any of the big HINO trucks available across USA.