200 BNSF SD70ACes Coming -- But Why the Delay?

[EJE818]

I figured UP would have cab lights on all new ACes. They have had cab lights on all of their SD70Ms and ACe, but all noselights on its GEs. I think all of the BNSF ones will have nose lights. I like the BNSF ACes with cab lights better, but I have a feeling the new ones will have nose lights like most of BNSF's recent engines.

[beaulieu]

NREX 7009 reigns supreme when it comes to ex-CNWs. search for that one. i'd kill to see it.

i have a feeling i'll have moved away from Altoona before the XCNWs are gone. so i can endure the pain a bit longer i suppose would be nice to see them all gone though. that way CNW finally can die peacefully. but enough about that

these BNSF ACEs. do they have noselights or cablights like the first batch? 

 

 

NREX 7009 is supposed to be coming to the Soo Line soon. CP is leasing 50 locomotives from NRE to ease a power shortage. NREX 7009 is on the list, but condition will determine whether or not it is accepted. The lessers are to operate primarily SE of Moose Jaw and SW of Toronto, but like most plans this may change. 

[EJE818]

Really? Are there any other CNW painted SD50s on the list? I would like to see one of those on my next trip to Wisconsin. Now, getting back on topic, when are some estimated timelines on when the new BNSF ACes will be delivered? How early will early 2007 mean? I would like to see some of these. SD70ACes are neat engines and the more (unless they are planning to retire SD40-2s), the better I say!

[Anonymous]

12-3-07 they are starting to show up,2 units are heading to Colorado for testing.  They have low headlights and isolated cabs-which gives them a personal touch over the others.  The ones released so far have come painted from EMD.  Delivery will be slow at first as 2008 starts and continues I`ve heard it`ll pick up.  In the mean time the SD60M`s are being renumbered and will be assignged to Chicago,latest I heard.  While the SD70MACs will head for North Dakota for assignment.  I have also heard the SD70MACs might be going to lessors to make room for more compliant locomotives,no time line on that one.

[EJE818]

Excellent that the SD60Ms are being reassigned to Chicago. Hopefully they will pull manifests and other trains down the ex-ATSF transcon and the racetrack. I know they are being renumbered but they are still neat engines that I wish I could see more often. I somehow doubt BNSF is going to be returning any SD70MACs. I see Dash 9s on coal trains sometimes (not the AC44s, I see those also). BNSF must be short coal train power, because the Dash 9s have showed up several times on coal trains. Maybe BNSF will be able to move those Dash 9s back on intermodal and stack trains where they are supposed to be.

[Lyon_Wonder]

I'd say get rid of some of the older DC locos rather than terminating SD70MAC's from lease, which would probably be the earliest BN engines anyway.  BNSF still has 30+ year old SD40-2s and even SD45-2s on the roster.  Though SD70MACs would look nice in MRL's dark blue paint scheme.