Power Shopping

摘要

To curb service problems, Class I railroads are seeking "more bang for the buck" as they mull power moves this year. As the number of locomotives purchased or leased continues to rise, so do railroads' demands that their iron horses have more power, perform consistently and contain easy-to-use features. In 1998, Class Is purchased or leased 889 locomotives, compared with 743 in 1997, according to statistics compiled by the Association of American Railroads (1999's numbers weren't available at press time). 2000 may be a similarly active Class I power-shopping year. And with total units in service also increasing from 19,684 in 1997 to 20,261 in 1998, railroad officials say locomotives must be even more reliable — and economical.