International Railroad Discussion > GE on BB trucks

GE was the first to use BB trucks on the narrow gauge locomotives in Brazil. It started with the six BB40-8´s made in 1991, followed  by  the production of BB40-9´s and BB40-9W´s in the following years. In 2003 Vale mining imported a group of sixty five second hand GE´s from US. The group was divided in B and C36-7. All units were rebuilt to BB trucks and old B36-7 were renumbered into the 700 series, from 701 - 749. The old C36-7 kept the old US road numbers. Almost all units still working on fca / VLI and Vale. Now,  GE is producing the first Evolution to narrow gauge in Brazil: the model ES43BBi will be launched in September 2015.

Pic 1: VLi BB40-9WM 6028 and 6020 at been parked at track #4 at Vespasiano yard , on March 31st, 2015;
Pic 2: Vale BB40-9W 1180 and 1308 leading a train of empty gondolas for coal at EVP yard, on February 9th, 2015;
Pic 3: VLI BB40-9WM 6096 leadinga limestone train at Km 626, in Vespasiano, MG on January 19, 2015


 

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/06/15 19:42 by pedrop.

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Those are some nice pics and good information you are posting, Pedro.  I am sure many railfans will appreciate being made aware of the really unique rail system in Brazil.

Bill

In the group of second hand GE´s that arrived in Brazil in 2003, there were many ex Conrails B36-7´s.

1 - BB36-7 712 (ex Conrail 5035) and BB40-9W 1196 leading a coal train at Km 626 in Vespasiano, on November 10, 2006;
2 - BB36-7 714 (ex Conrail 5037) at Eldorado yard. In the background we see the DDM45´s 881 and 825 switching to couple to 714, on September 3rd, 2006;
3 - BB36-7 714  and DDM45 877 been coupled to DDM45 825 at Eldorado yard, on September 3rd, 2006;

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/07/15 16:34 by pedrop.

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In the same group of old GE´s, also came some ex NS C36-7. These were rebuilt to BB but kept the old road numbers. All three pics below taken at Vespasiano yard on December 4th, 2006:

1 - BB36-7 8523 (ex NS 8523) and GE U20C´s 2689 and 2572 switching a slag train at Vespasiano yard. At side, the EFVM G16U waiting the end of operations to proceed to the station;
2 - The units pushing the slag train on track #2;
3- A rear view of 8523 during the switching operation.

 

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

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pedrop Wrote:
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> Now,  GE is
> producing the first Evolution to narrow gauge in
> Brazil: the model ES43BBi will be launched in
> September 2015.
>

Great set of pictures, thanks for posting.

The current B-B GEs, both converted and built new are DC traction motors.  Does anyone know which type?  731 maybe?

And the ES43BBi under development, will that also be a DC traction motor locomotive?  Or will GE develop a new AC motor that will fit in the B-B truck and capable of 500+ HP?

daniel

Great pictures, would love to see some videos

Fascinating photos.

KG

goviacn Wrote:
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> Great pictures, would love to see some videos

Search Youtube for "VLI" or "EFVM". Searching for "trem VLI" and "trem EFVM" also brings up a lot of results.

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/08/15 10:58 by 3rd_Raton.

Hi daniel, 
The BB36-7 were rebuilt using traction motores GM D31., but I do not know about the traction motors GE uses in the new BB40-9WM´s.

The new ES43BBi will be the first AC locomotive made by GE in Brazil. EMD released the GT46ACe last year and GE decided to launch  the ES43BBi to compete in the AC market. 

pedro


>
> The current B-B GEs, both converted and built new
> are DC traction motors.  Does anyone know which
> type?  731 maybe?
>
> And the ES43BBi under development, will that also
> be a DC traction motor locomotive?  Or will GE
> develop a new AC motor that will fit in the B-B
> truck and capable of 500+ HP?
>
> daniel

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

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One of the most interesting GE´s converted to BB was ex LRCX SF30C 9537 (ex ATSF 8768). At least three SF30C arrived to EFVM, but two were scrapped when arrived here to provide parts to other old GE´s. In the pics, EFVM 9537 passing by the yard here in Vespasiano on August 31, 2006. 
 

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

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Here are some videos of mine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjyHr3dvDRA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrdnioiUels

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by86y4LoxG4



goviacn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Great pictures, would love to see some videos

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

Another videos of mine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07rVizBAcnM

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

Very nice shots, thanks for sharing.

Stanley Jackowski
Valrico, FL

The first locomotives to use BB trucks in Brazil were the six Dash 8´s made by GE  of Brasil - Gevisa. Here are some pics of them taken on January 18, 2004:

Pics 1 and 2  - BB40-8 1001 working as DPU in a big ore train at Desembargador Drumond yard;

Pic 3 -  The same unit loading a train at Caue mine in Itabira, MG

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

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