Is that a brand new EMD Tier 4 sixth in the line of stored power at Northlake, IL?
http://www.railpictures.net/photo/683130/
Most of them are going into storage. Rumors vary on whether they have reliability issues or are victim of a small, very unique class, but UP is storing a bunch of power and they have been selected for it.
I would suppose that would make sense with PSR - a small class and with Tier 4 apparently not as fuel efficient as Tier 3, they might as well park the less fuel- efficient classes.
It may be due to warranty issues. More than a few years ago, I read that builder warranties on new power don't start until the locomotive is actually placed in service. At that time, it referred to brand-new SD40-2's being delivered directly into storage while older power was still in service.
There are various rumors floating around as to why these units are being stored, but several things are worth noting. UP is not storing it's Tier 4 GEs, which are also a small locomotive class with worse fuel efficiency than T3 units. Additionally, UP recently downsized it's T4 ACe order from 100 units to 92 (by swapping the 8 1600 series demo units it was supposed to recieve for 8 more T4 credit SD70AHs). As far as the actual problems with the ACe-T4 go, many are allegedly related to the powertrain. I'm sure EMD/Progress Rail is working behind the scenes to fix the bugs in their design, but it would have been better if they had tested the SD70ACe-T4 more rigorously (like GE did with the ET44AC) before shipping production units to customers.
One would imagine that they would all end up at or near a Progress facility vs. various storage lines waiting to get turned into another "Rail Beast"
HR616 As far as the actual problems with the ACe-T4 go, many are allegedly related to the powertrain. I'm sure EMD/Progress Rail is working behind the scenes to fix the bugs in their design, but it would have been better if they had tested the SD70ACe-T4 more rigorously (like GE did with the ET44AC) before shipping production units to customers.
As far as the actual problems with the ACe-T4 go, many are allegedly related to the powertrain. I'm sure EMD/Progress Rail is working behind the scenes to fix the bugs in their design, but it would have been better if they had tested the SD70ACe-T4 more rigorously (like GE did with the ET44AC) before shipping production units to customers.
1010J = 265H + not enough testing = problems? Surely you jest.
At least the new engine doesn't use antifreeze.
The GE Tier 4 units aren't exactly the cat's meow of reliability either, compared to the Tier 3 units.
Hopefully the bugs get worked out, the two SD70ACe-T4's that CN was testing last year got rave reviews from crews, at least until they died in a -40°C Saskatchewan winter night.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
YoHo1975Loconotes reported a few days ago that UP has at least a few ET44ACs in Storage Lines now. So assumptions about the SD70ACe-T4 seem premature.
I heard that on another forum too. Its no secret that both T4 designs are less reliable, but I still believe the ACe-T4 is currently the more problematic of the two.
SD70Dude HR616 As far as the actual problems with the ACe-T4 go, many are allegedly related to the powertrain. I'm sure EMD/Progress Rail is working behind the scenes to fix the bugs in their design, but it would have been better if they had tested the SD70ACe-T4 more rigorously (like GE did with the ET44AC) before shipping production units to customers. 1010J = 265H + not enough testing = problems? Surely you jest. At least the new engine doesn't use antifreeze. The GE Tier 4 units aren't exactly the cat's meow of reliability either, compared to the Tier 3 units. Hopefully the bugs get worked out, the two SD70ACe-T4's that CN was testing last year got rave reviews from crews, at least until they died in a -40°C Saskatchewan winter night.
CN is testing EMD demos 1605 and 1606 for the third time right now. It seems like they're giving EMD a chance to prove their product.
HR616 CN is testing EMD demos 1605 and 1606 for the third time right now. It seems like they're giving EMD a chance to prove their product.
Good news, I haven't seen them yet this time around but would like to get one, take it for a test run so to speak.
We certainly have the extreme cold weather for them to prove themselves in right now!
SD70Dude HR616 CN is testing EMD demos 1605 and 1606 for the third time right now. It seems like they're giving EMD a chance to prove their product. Good news, I haven't seen them yet this time around but would like to get one, take it for a test run so to speak. We certainly have the extreme cold weather for them to prove themselves in right now!
Just read yesterday that UP is also putting their GE ET44AC fleet in to storage.
From a bottom line standpoint it makes sense. If they are able to run the railroad with fewer locomotives due to their adjusted operating plan, they might as well park the fuel hogs.
CN testing 1605 and 1606. Hopefully they are impressing the CN brass.
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/692949/
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