Here's a couple of questions about BNSF that have been floating around in my mind regarding recent rebuilds. With the rebuild of the SD60M's and SD75M/I's BNSF introduced the H4 paint scheme, which looks sharp. No problem there.
However, they have had some SD70MAC's rebuilt and they came out with the H3 paint scheme. Which brings up the second question. What's BNSF's long term plans for the SD70MAC's?
The units recently rebuilt were rebuilt what I believe to as SD70MAC's, not as SD70MACE's. The easiest way to tell the difference is the SD70MAC's seem to retain the original Siemens Inverters. Other than the H3 paint scheme I have no way of knowing if they performed any internal upgrades. At a minimum they most likely had a complete mechanical overhaul. Also the ones they chose (9468,9713,9734) had been in long term layup.
So, why the H3 paint scheme on the recent SD70MAC rebuilds? Why not the H4? The H4 is showing up in units used on local and regional power but not mainline power.
Regarding the SD70MAC rebuilds. It appears that BNSF may have its sights set on rebuilding its SD70MAC fleet rather than purchasing any new T4 power. First they came out with the SD70MACE and now the rebuilt SD70MAC's. Perhaps they are comparing the two to see if they need to switch out the Siemens Inverters for future rebuilds.
With over 800 units to choose from the future is using AC power versus DC. Yes, they have converted some C44-9W's to AC44C4M's but in the long run converting them to AC would cost more than converting the SD70MAC's. Interesting to hear other peoples thoughts.
You are correct. Since the SD70MAC's are already equipped with AC incerters the only real major change would be changing the Siemens inverters with Mitsubishi inverters to make them SD70MACe's. Basicaly an SD70ACe in a different shell.
Just to throw a wrench into the works, there are 14 ex-BNSF SD70MAC's that are in the process of being rebuilt to SD70MACH's for Metra.
How many SD70MAC's does BNSf plan to rebuild/refurbish?
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