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Posted by Todd
on January 11, 2012, 9:43 am, in reply to "Re: GEs on the BLE?"
204.31.130.165
The goal is still mass production and doing one of a kinds is probably bad business for a major builder unless it either fits in their plans going forward or they see the opportunity to sell more.
How many SDL39s did EMD sell other than the ones for the Milwaukee Road? None I believe, unless for export.
I have always thought that Baldwin would have been the potential choice for the Bessemer when dieselizing. The Bessemer tested the Centipedes in about 47 and the sharks would have done the work of F7 units. They already had the Baldwin road switchers in yard and local service...and had steam from Baldwin in the past... My guess is that EMD won on sales, price and reliability!
To me GE was sort of taking knowledge from Alco in the later 50s and 60s. And ultimately put them out of business, due to small volume of sales in large part of the Century Series.
Just my thoughts here, no hard facts to throw behind it all. But I have built everything from batteries to cars to fighter jets to nuke subs and the later are not mass production by any means....
Best,
Todd
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