Is The SD70ACE-T4 Successful With Crews And Mechanical Departments?

[kgbw49]

Does anyone have any knowledge as to whether the Progress Rail EMD SD70ACE-T4 is successful with crews and mechanical departments?

There have not been any repeat orders as far as I know, but the few that are out on UP are very often seen in the lead position on locomotive consists.

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/675318/

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/675467/

I am wondering if the lack of repeat orders from UP or new orders from others is more related to the excess locomotive power being created via implementation of Precision Scheduled Railroading and the successful rebuilding of older power such as the SD70ACU, SD70ACC and SD70MACe programs.

Or is the SD70ACE-T4 not making the grade?

 

[NorthWest]

There's a ton of really cheap older-but-workable power out there right now, and GE hasn't built much in the last couple of years, either, so I'd give it a couple of years. There were a few bugs with early units (which is normal) but they're roaming the system at least seemingly succesfully now, so I'm guessing many were resolved. It often takes a year or two to fix them, too.

NS and CSX just ordered 10 each, and BNSF is actively testing at least one demonstrator in the PNW.

Give things time to shake out.

The units are really quiet though (and new) which is probably why crews like them on the point.

[kgbw49]

Wouldn’t it be ironic if CN helps to keep the SD70ACe-T4 afloat?

Here is a lease unit at work on CN:

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/692705/

 

[traisessive1]

Those Tier 4 EMDs CN has leased have spent more time in the shop than on trains.