COLUMBUS, Ind. – Cummins Inc. has developed a Tier 4-compliant QSK19-R engine that will power new Nippon Sharyo Diesel Multiple Units. Contracts have been awarded to Nippon Sharyo U.S.A./Sumitomo Corp. of America for 32 cars that will have the engine. The cars will be configured as either two- or three-car DMU sets with the 760 horsepower engine installed under the floors in each car.
Cummins said the QSK19-R is the first railcar engine being produced in North America that is certified to meet Tier 4 Final ultra-low emissions standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, taking effect Jan. 1, 2015. Production of the QSK19 engine is now underway at Cummins facility in Seymour, Ind.
The first Nippon Sharyo DMU is scheduled for delivery this year for the air-rail link currently under construction from downtown Toronto to Pearson International Airport. A total of 18 cars will be operated on the line by GO Transit. Another 14 cars will be delivered to the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) line, north of the San Francisco Bay Area on the former Northwestern Pacific. The line is currently under construction.
Voith is a major manufacturer of hydraulic transmissions in Europe and was used on Colorado Railcars DMUs. However, Allison has a transmission designed to be used with the QSK19-R and American content might make it more likely.
SMART should get 18 DMU power cars, but only 14 engines?
There was a report recently that the first pair of Nippon-Sharyo DMUs for Sonoma were in shipment from Japan to Rochelle, Ill. for more testing. The rest of the fleet will be built there.
I hope the railfan community keeps a sharp eye out for them to arrive on the west coast and move toward Rochelle.
More than likely the DMU's will have hydraulic transmissions. The Budd RDC's used Detroit Diesels with Allison hydraulic transmissions. Most DMU's use that configuration.
I don't know about RDC limits, but the T4 requirements for switchers (under 1500 horsepower) are way lower than for linehaul locomotives.
The MTU repowers don't need to be as clean as a new GE or EMD Tier 4 locomotive,
Nippon Sharyo should also develop a intercity DMU that also utilizes their patented tilting air suspension system, which is in use in a intercity EMU in use in Taiwan.
For a service like the Downeaster, modern DMU train-sets would be ideal. Or new services like from New York City via the Lackawanna Cut-Off to Scranton, Pennsylvania and New York's Southern Tier.
In my mind is the fact that in the 1950s the New York Central made the Boston-Albany run in 4-hrs 15-mins utilizing Budd RDC 'Beeliners', while the 'New Emgland States' took 5-hrs 15-mins and the 'Lake Shore Limited' takes 5-hrs 30-mins today. The RDC's had fast acceleration from station stops and good grade climbing ability. They also where very fuel efficent and cheap to operate.
I think a modern tilting DMU could deliver the same travel time today cost-effectively which would be competitive with driving and intercity buses. With a travel time of 4-hrs 15-mins a train-set could make 1-1/2 round trips daily, every other day returning to Rensselaer for maintenance.
Lastly, I would want them in stainless steel, for both style and durability!
Tier 4 final? That sounds like a non-road engine term instead of a locomotive emissions standard. Also, do they meet Tier 4 final without aftertreatment?
New style Budd cars…. Just what is needed
Anybody know the details of the transmission?