No.
EMD appears to be having some production problems at Muncie. They were originally supposed to have delivered 10 T4 ACes each to BNSF, CSX, and NS by now, but they aren't even done with the NS T4C units, let alone the Metrolink F125s.
The 10 CSX engines have started production at Muncie.
Interesting CSX designation for these. ST40AH apparently will be it.
http://railroadfan.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=415057#p415057
Some big changes in their fleet in recent weeks. Along with the pending arrival of these Tier 4 EMD's and typical movements of late like further trimming of stored Dash 2's, all the SW1500's are now gone, all the SW1001's, and all but 1 each of their GP15T's and GP15-1's.
I wonder if the many remaining MP15 survivors have a future at CSX. I suspect I already know that answer...
I can confirm that the model designation as painted on CSXT 8900 at Muncie is ST70AH
Chris Toth
newones may hit the metal this week!!!
all running on csx now!!!
My understanding is that they are ALL restricted to operating in the Bone Valley area around Tampa. They are not to be used in 'mainline' service except to go to Waycross Shop for quarterly inspections.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/703093/
Hopefully they prove themselves and are allowed to roam after a few months.
Leo_AmesHopefully they prove themselves and are allowed to roam after a few months.
CSX has not felt that their prior SD70's have served them well - restricting the new ones to the Bone Valley continues this thought process.
BaltACDCSX has not felt that their prior SD70's have served them well - restricting the new ones to the Bone Valley continues this thought process.
If they don't feel their prior SD70s have served them well, why would they buy more?
Perhaps they purchased them to try the model out.
10 units is not a large number, even in the reduced fleet after PSR implementation.
At the same time, the widespread implementation of PSR would seem to indicate a reduced need for any large buys of new units, because there is a lot of horsepower stored right now.
For example, UP indicated in their 2019 2nd Quarter Earnings Release that locomotive productivity is up 19% and they have over 2,100 locomotives stored.
Norfolk Southern in a recent presentation indicated they have approximately 600 locomotives stored.
Kansas City Southern recently auctioned off over 50 locomotives that, relatively speaking, were not very old.
So there appears to be a lot of rebuild fodder sitting on storage tracks that may be available to be converted to AC44C6M, SD70ACU, SD70ACC, etc.
If they haven't already, they're going to start a SD70MAC rebuild program this year. So at least they feel like there's potential there to make them into performers more to their liking. Hopefully it succeeds and they don't follow their newer SD70ACe sisters.
Strikes me as a bit odd to place these new T4 units in captive service. If it's because of so much skepticism about their reliability, why order 10 likely to be orphans in the first place? Not like CSX to throw a bone to EMD and I would think a demonstration tour could tell them what they want to know about how they'd perform.
I'd like to think that CSX feels their capabilities make them well tailored for this job, just like the U36B/MATE combinations back when they were new. But judging by what I know about CSX in recent years which echoes what BaltACD said, that's sadly just wishful thinking.
It's where the less optimal high horsepower EMD performers go to work. But hopefully these prove doubters wrong and get released to general service in time.
Leo_AmesIf they haven't already, they're going to start a SD70MAC rebuild program this year. So at least they feel like there's potential there to make them into performers more to their liking. Hopefully it succeeds and they don't follow their newer SD70ACe sisters. Strikes me as a bit odd to place these new T4 units in captive service. If it's because of so much skepticism about their reliability, why order 10 orphans in the first place? Not like CSX to throw a bone to EMD and I would think a demonstration tour could tell them what they want to know about how they'd perform. I'd like to think that CSX feels their capabilities make them well tailored for this job, just like the U36B/MATE combinations back when they were new. But judging by what I know about CSX in recent years which echoes what BaltACD said, that's sadly just wishful thinking. It's where the less optimal high horsepower EMD performers go to work. But hopefully these prove doubters wrong and get released to general service in time.
Strikes me as a bit odd to place these new T4 units in captive service. If it's because of so much skepticism about their reliability, why order 10 orphans in the first place? Not like CSX to throw a bone to EMD and I would think a demonstration tour could tell them what they want to know about how they'd perform.
CSX and the rest of the Class 1 carriers want to retain at least some leverage against WABCO (formerly GE). With the change in ownership who knows what will happen.
It's not you fathers EMD nor is it your fathers GE.
Leo_Ames If they haven't already, they're going to start a SD70MAC rebuild program this year. So at least they feel like there's potential there to make them into performers more to their liking. Hopefully it succeeds and they don't follow their newer SD70ACe sisters. Strikes me as a bit odd to place these new T4 units in captive service. If it's because of so much skepticism about their reliability, why order 10 likely to be orphans in the first place? Not like CSX to throw a bone to EMD and I would think a demonstration tour could tell them what they want to know about how they'd perform. I'd like to think that CSX feels their capabilities make them well tailored for this job, just like the U36B/MATE combinations back when they were new. But judging by what I know about CSX in recent years which echoes what BaltACD said, that's sadly just wishful thinking. It's where the less optimal high horsepower EMD performers go to work. But hopefully these prove doubters wrong and get released to general service in time.
CSX probably put the ST70AHs in captive service for maintenance purposes. Given their small class size, it doesn't make sense to stock unique parts in every shop around the system, or train large amounts of mechanics to work on them. Unless these things are very reliable, they will probably continue to operate in captive service. However, this group might eventually be shuffled around to other parts of the system.
Something hasn't been made completely clear are the exact details of this order. The fact that CSX, BNSF, and NS (although NS has since cancelled) each ordered 10 units makes me suspect that this is some sort of a long-term demonstration project backed by Progress Rail.
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