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From: "Pennsyk4 AT warwick DOT net" PennsyK4 AT warwick DOT net
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 09:06:59 -0400
Subject: Prime mover & trailer
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E-L List Members,

I know that this is not specifically an E-L topic, but I wanted to share
this amazing site with you.

While on vacation, we saw this enormous 18-cylinder prime mover on a
unique articulated
trailer. Could not resist taking pictures. For a locomotive rebuild,
or possibly stationary power?
Check out the size - I left our station wagon in the picture for scale.
This rig
was over 100' long including the 14-wheel Kenworth tractor (3 driving
axles). My oldest son took the pictures, while my youngest son & nephew
are soaking up the
technology with me.

The rear "truck" of the trailer was in 3 parts, and had a small
reciprocating
engine that powered a hydraulic pump which assisted in steering the
front 1/3 of the trailer's rear "truck." Awesome. Several guys stopped

to check it out while we were looking it over, including a trucker who
explained much of the construction methodology of the trailer. Notice
the ground clearance, only about 2" in some spots. We think the driver
was catching ZZZZs in the sleeper part of his cab while waiting for an
escort, as this was an unusually tall and heavy load.

You don't see stuff like this every day. The big diesel engine was of
Swiss manufacture (not a Sulzer, I forgot the name of the manufacturer),
and the
generator was French. I think the only US manufacturers of equipment
like this are Caterpillar, GE, EMD, and the company that sells Alco and
FM prime movers. This was bigger than an EMD or Alco, more similar in
size and design to the largest Caterpillar engines (check out the Cat
website for some amazing prime movers). I'm guessing that this diesel
was
about 8000-10000 hp.

I hope this post did not violate any List rules.

Tony Tofani


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