TPWRY The ES44C4's is a complete bust Crews HATE THEM heard from several saying they are the worst things on the roster.
The ES44C4's is a complete bust Crews HATE THEM heard from several saying they are the worst things on the roster.
That's why EMD are better locomotives than GE
To my knowledge BNSF is NOT doing ECO rebuilds of any kind right now.
The GP60Ms are getting the CFR 1033 upgrade. That is NOT an ECO rebuild. UP's SD40-2s are also getting the CFR 1033 upgrade.
The GE 40BWs are an unknown so far. GE offers a CFR 1033 part, but I've not heard anything about units getting it. I assume any Dash9 CW or AC4400 will get it at next major rebuild, but I've heard nothing about the BWs.
Last time I was down on Cajon a year or so ago, you could still see GP60Ms on mainline freights. I think San Bernardino likes to put them on sometimes. They are the primary power on BNSF's line down the Inland Empire too.
jrbernier YoHo1975 Its not that simple. EPA regulations make many of those locomotive problematic to reactivate, or at least, the rebuild is going to cost more than it would otherwise. Some railroads like UP are rebuilding them anyway. Others like BNSF are not. Medium HP(2000-3000) 4 axle engines for local service are the big attraction as there is a gap between the Genset engines and the 4300-4400 HP 6 axle engines that are currently available. With Tier II in the future, older 4 axle GP replacements will be needed. Jim
YoHo1975 Its not that simple. EPA regulations make many of those locomotive problematic to reactivate, or at least, the rebuild is going to cost more than it would otherwise. Some railroads like UP are rebuilding them anyway. Others like BNSF are not.
Its not that simple. EPA regulations make many of those locomotive problematic to reactivate, or at least, the rebuild is going to cost more than it would otherwise. Some railroads like UP are rebuilding them anyway. Others like BNSF are not.
Medium HP(2000-3000) 4 axle engines for local service are the big attraction as there is a gap between the Genset engines and the 4300-4400 HP 6 axle engines that are currently available. With Tier II in the future, older 4 axle GP replacements will be needed.
Jim
Although they may not be chalking up a lot of orders there are several manufacturers marketing "single engine" intermediate HP 4 axle locomotives. Progress Rail, Brookville equipment, and Wabtec/Boise Locomotive come to mind. While many of these reuse frames and other components from retired units the same is true of many of the Gensets that have been built.
"I Often Dream of Trains"-From the Album of the Same Name by Robyn Hitchcock
TPWRYI've heard BNSF has already replaced the control stands on at least some if not all of them
I've heard BNSF has already replaced the control stands on at least some if not all of them
As the GP60Ms come in for overhaul they are having the diesel engines upgraded to Tier 0+ and the control stand replaced, along with some other minor upgrading and repairs. Because they are in lower utilization local service it will take a while for all the surviving GP60Ms to cycle through the shops. No big changes are being made to them. It will be interesting to see what BNSF does with the Dash8-40BWs.
BNSF is looking at a similar re-power of old ex-AT&SF GP60M engines as well. If this happens, they may get standard AAR control stands and be moved to local service. Jim
UP is looking at a 12-710 ECO repower for some old SD60M's. BNSF is looking at a similar re-power of old ex-AT&SF GP60M engines as well. If this happens, they may get standard AAR control stands and be moved to local service. UP has 5-6 engines at EMD right now and at least one has been converted. I suspect if testing looks good, and they can settle on a 'fleet' rebuilding price; UP will be sending more of their SD60M fleet to EMD.
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I'm no RR diesel expert but I have seen photos of many, many BNSF engines parked in storage (AKA LUG) and wopuld suspect since they have a large surplus and many are old, they are seeking some profitable means of disposing of them.
FWIW
With the current economic and traffic situations, I suspect we won't see much in the way of new power purchased (leased) until the stored power situation has been rationalized...ie. the decisions made on the power that will be scrapped and the power that will be returned to service, once the carriers have decided on what their situation will be with their existing power going forward, then they can make decisions about what, if any, new power needs to be ordered to handle the traffic levels.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Dunno, me. Haven't heard anything. If you want to see "shinney" (sic) engines, go to the BNSF locations. BTW, has anyone heard how the BNSF 6600-series ES44C4 (A1A-A1A) locos are working out? I have not heard anything, lately. Tnx.
Hays
INFORMATION PLEASE..DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT AND WHEN NEW LOCO. ORDERS ARE FOR THE BIG FOUR ? I WILL BE AROUND CHICAGO AREA IN JULY AND WOULD BE NICE TO SEE SOME NEW SHINNEY ENGINES....THANKS !!
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