06-03-2014, 10:23 PM
I know some people who work on the Cape may Seashore Lines, where they own almost all the former PRSL RDCs. They might know the cost.
One of the major problems with the old Budd RDCs is that they use Detroit 110 series engines, and ones that use a specific "side mounted" diesel, instead of the more common kind like used in the marine applications (I have limited experience with these at my family's diesel shop. I also own a rebuilding manual for this diesel). 110s are not very common these days and parts are scarce.
Speaking of the drives, RDCs are direct drive, not diesel electric. This can wear down the engine and other parts more easily.
Another problem is that these cars are light and so usually require special rules or special equipment (such as an "exciter"). This is due to the limited contact a single RDC car makes with the rails. There have been some fairly serious accidents where an RDC did not set off the crossing gates.
I'm not sure how much an RDC would cost, but I am not surprised that DMUs are not very common these days. They offer few advantages over a diesel push-pull.
***EDIT*****
looks like $120,000 for an RDC1, and 93,500 for an RDC2. Interestingly, they were selling two SPVs (Budd's attempt to bring back the RDC concept in an Amfleet style body), for 15,000. SPVs were very VERY unreliable though.
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One of the major problems with the old Budd RDCs is that they use Detroit 110 series engines, and ones that use a specific "side mounted" diesel, instead of the more common kind like used in the marine applications (I have limited experience with these at my family's diesel shop. I also own a rebuilding manual for this diesel). 110s are not very common these days and parts are scarce.
Speaking of the drives, RDCs are direct drive, not diesel electric. This can wear down the engine and other parts more easily.
Another problem is that these cars are light and so usually require special rules or special equipment (such as an "exciter"). This is due to the limited contact a single RDC car makes with the rails. There have been some fairly serious accidents where an RDC did not set off the crossing gates.
I'm not sure how much an RDC would cost, but I am not surprised that DMUs are not very common these days. They offer few advantages over a diesel push-pull.
***EDIT*****
looks like $120,000 for an RDC1, and 93,500 for an RDC2. Interestingly, they were selling two SPVs (Budd's attempt to bring back the RDC concept in an Amfleet style body), for 15,000. SPVs were very VERY unreliable though.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=36370">http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopi ... 11&t=36370</a><!-- m -->
Modeling New Jersey Under the Wire 1978-1979.
![[Image: logosmall.png]](http://i543.photobucket.com/albums/gg445/CAB_IV/Model%20Trains%202013/logosmall.png)