More ES44AC4s for BNSF

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

From other sources: BNSF has ordered 28 ES44C4's, 6625-6652.  The first batch has already turned up at Clearing and they should be on the home road by now.  Incidentally, NS already has some AC power bought new, ES44AC's 8000-8023.

[Lyon_Wonder]

According to locophotos, BNSF's getting a second batch of ES44AC4s and several were spotted on a westbound CSX train in Ohio.  Road numbers are BNSF #6625 and higher.  BNSF's also getting some ES44DCs in the #7900 series too, though I guess BNSF has enough confidence in the A-1-A ES44AC4 to procure additional locos.  IIRC, GE's promoting A-1-A AC since it produces the same tractive power as a C-C ES44DC .  Even if BNSF stops buying ES44DCs after the current order and places orders for additional ES44AC4s, GE would still have to persuade NS and CN since they buy almost exclusively DC.  I don't think neither NS or CN have been buying too much brand new motive power in the last year or so anyway.  NS is in the process of rebuilding older EMD SD50/SD60s and CN's been acquiring second-hand GE 6-axle Dash 8s from BNSF and UP in the last several months.