Nostalgia & History > Everything old is new again...

 The Second Edition of "Southern Pacific & The KM Hydraulics" is discoverable on the SP Historical & Technical Society's web page. It's been a long time coming, and I couldn't be happier to see it.

There are 80 additional pages from the 2014 First Edition, plus new chapters with new information that's come to light about this crazy 1960s experiment in high HP and high TE. 

It's printed in the U.S. and was created as an engaging read about the SP's Krauss-Maffei geared 4,000 HP C'-C' diesel-hydraulics. The info comes from both sides of the equation, with firsthand accounts from U.S. and German team members and information dug from the dustbins of history. There's also a chapter on the unlikely (and in many ways, unbelievable) restoration of the sole survivor, SP 9010 in Niles Canyon, California.

It's also a proud showcase of pics from Dick Steinheimer, Ted Benson, TO's own Photobob Morris, and with new photos from the archives of the Western Railway Museum courtesy of TO's Evan Werkema. 

Thanks to the SPH&TS for publishing, and to the members for their patience (and who get first crack at shipping).

As a public info service, I'm linking to the SPH&TS web page for their Company Store, for those who have interest. The book will also be available through selected book dealers; check your favorite listings.

This has been a labor of love, from the time I first saw these glistening oddballs, as a kid. The fascination only grows deeper with time. As it says in the book, there are some words not used in this story. Because the KM saga is way cooler, much deeper, and with more lasting significance than a one-line obituary peppered with prickly pejoratives. (Or excess alliteration.)

Thanks also to SP 9010 volunteer Karl Swartz for the photo of the new edition sitting on the scratchbuilt reproduction nose of SP 9010. Cheers to all SP, D&RGW, KM, and mechanical history fans (with much authorial pride and relief),

~ Bob Z.

Oh yeah... the link!

https://sphts.org/product/km-hydraulics/

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Yup, fascinating history. I look back at our proposal being prepared to use dual TF-120 pumps and hydraulic
traction motors and as I've said before SP was over hydraulics by the time we had access to the TF-120. But
the other problem and what would have really killed the deal was that Germany cut back on their defense
budget which would have supported the TF-120 production (for large tanks) so we would have had to make a
very strong rail case for the thing to even be built! Ain't history fun?

Out 

It's always so much more than what meets the eye. That was the main takeaway from the research.

Imagine if the Reading had decided to plunk down for the 1964 KM Series Units! Their CMO had prepared a significant study of the possibility in 1962. And KM proposals were made for Mexican standard gauge and for Brazilian broad gauge operations as well.

SP also solicited bids from Baldwin and Fairbanks-Morse, as well as a handful of European loco builders other than KM. And the collaboration between Alco Products Inc. and Germany's MaK which resulted in the Alco DH-643 "Alcohaulics" was the precursor to designs topping 5,000HP that were, of course, never built.

Fascinating story. (Good reading, too.) ;-)

~ BZ

I'm just amazed that the hydraulic systems could handle the pressures!!!

The tank, or the locomotive? :-)

Well look at that, a perdy little book on a perdy engine. Nice to see the SPH&TS link was put up fast! 👍🏻

Dave