Really unusual SD70ACe traction motor sound

jonwray

Active member
Hi everyone!
A few months ago, on my daily railfan trip to Nampa, I heard a very strange sound coming from the rear traction motors of UP SD70ACe #8673. You can hear this sound at around 7:30 on this video: https://youtu.be/qCqjw-l2hoo . Listen for that "wuwuwuwuwuwuwuwu" sound. In my opinion, I think it might be some sort of problem with one of the traction motors or something. To this day and every day prior to December 5, 2015, I have not heard that sound coming from a locomotive.
 
Just a normal thing that can happen with some traction motors. I've heard it on some GEs up here in the PNW. It's what happens when the Rotor with the Armature is rubing against the Stator. In short, the traction motor is off-balance.
 
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