International Railroad Discussion > Ferronor Chile new EMDs

A couple of years ago, Ferronor Chile (meter gauge) purchased 13 new Electro-Motive GT38ACLs (Indiana built) plus 175 cars from China,  mostly acid tank cars,  plus some flat cars.  This to service their new contract with BHP Escondida Mine, one of the largest open pit copper mines in the world..  They will haul sulphuric acid and copper cathodes from the mine to the port at Mejillones for export.  For various reasons,  the new operation took awhile to get started and is slated to begin full operations near the end of the year.  In the meantime they are training crews as well as testing the new units.  Photos below from last Tuesday showing a 'training train an2005d a couple of roster views of the units.  The test trains run about 6 miles out of the Ferronor base at Baquedano.  They're followed by a single unit,  which then couples on for the return to base.  The former lead unit then does the same on the return.  One interesting thing is that anytime these units move, the bell rings.  Most newer locos in Chile have bells but I can't recall ever hearing them in use.

1.   2005 on test train.
2... 2009  at Baquedano
3.   2012      ditto



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/27/24 10:33 by masterphots.

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The wheel diameter looks huge under those units...

Impressive-looking rigs.  They will add a bit of color to the desert landscape for the first couple of weeks of service. Thanks for the report.

Greg Stadter
Phoenix, AZ

The wheels remind me of a steam engine.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/24 14:07 by usmc1401.

Nice shots, the new EMD;s look strong!

Larry

I agree about the wheels.  Same on all that line of EMDs,  both on FN and FCAB.  Truck frame design may accentuate it too.  FCABs' GT42ACs now have blue wheel tires.  As for dirt,  Ferronor keeps units much cleaner but with all the dust blowing around from the mines,  not easy to do.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/24 05:08 by masterphots.

masterphots Wrote:
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> I agree about the wheels.  Same on all that line
> of EMDs,  both on FN and FCAB.  Truck side
> frames make accentuate it too.  FCABs' GT42ACs
> now have blue wheel tires.  As for dirt, 
> Ferronor keeps units much cleaner but with all the
> dust blowing around from the mines,  not easy to
> do.

Looking at size the coupler vs the wheels they look like the standard 42 inch wheels you see under most new units these days. 

The low height of the unit makes the unit look very long. How long are they in comparison to current US 6-axle power?

WP17

WP17 Wrote:
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> The low height of the unit makes the unit look
> very long. How long are they in comparison to
> current US 6-axle power?
>
> WP17

They're 18,942mm long, or 62.12 feet.  8 cyl 710 engine.   This from Electro Motive Diesel website.

Any chance you got photos of the builders stickers? If so, can you share? TIA

That thing looks like a desert monster !  It also appears there are not hand holds/ladders  for anyone to get the windshields to clean the dirt off them.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/24 08:30 by tomstp.

alamode Wrote:
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> Any chance you got photos of the builders
> stickers? If so, can you share? TIA

Here you go

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