CopCarSS wrote:Does the BNSF still have any 1st gen stuff still in daily service? There was a GP10 around here that I last saw 2 months or so ago. Is there some reason that the 1st gen power would be hanging on while SD40-2s are headed for storage/sale/scrap/whatever?
Two years ago I photographed a BNSF freight headed southwest out of Wilmar, MN with a high-nose SD9 in the consist, and it was looking very good in the pumpkin scheme (looked practically brand-new). It didn't appear to be a slug - it was third in the line-up. As a matter of fact, I'm not all that crazy about the pumpkin scheme, but that unit looked so nice to me I'd consider adding one like it to my layout.
A friend of mine works in the railroad industry and he told me that some new EPA regulations have banned the use of 567 and 645 prime movers in locomotives on Class 1 roads, and by either 2009-2011 (do not remember the exact date but I can find out) they have to be permenently removed from service on class 1 railroads. The 710 currently passes the EPA regulations but is not long for the Class 1 world.
EDIT: I just talked to my railroad friend and he stated that the 567 and 645 could be used on lass 1 roads if brought up to current standards, but the cost involved is not worth the effort and new locomotives will most likely be purchased instead. So this brings to mind the question, will BNSF remanufacture the SD40-2's or replace them?
OWTX wrote:Dollar devaluation and a hot commodities market should make them attractive for export, no?
BHP picked up 12 or 16, if i remember correctly, x-SP SD40s for their austrailian operations.
pinlifter III wrote:well it has been confirmed! i was on a tranfer job (eola to the brc) as we were pulling west receiving yard (trk 15) at the brc i noticed 25-30 sd40-2's sitting on the west end of track 16. i went into my grip and got the camera but my batterys were dead. :-( what a sight to see all of them on one track , anyway when i got back to eola i asked the trainmaster about all those beautys at the belt . said that there blue cards were expired and required their 92 day inspection. using the belt for storage as clyde and ntw diesel shops were to capacity. so they shall live another day... as an engineer id take an sd40-2 over a dash anyday. no question about it!!!!
That's good to hear, many thanks for the news. Please keep up your postings as I love to have somebody "in the trenches" reporting on happenings at Eola Yard who can get much "deeper" into things than I can as a railfan.
CopCarSS wrote: mudchicken wrote: 1. Fuel consumption2. Tight curves in backtracks plus obsolete sharp turnouts3. Less lateral (L/V) forces on weaker track structure.Thanks, MC. I was kind of wondering if it was something along those lines. Of course, that begs the question: What happens in 10-20 years when the 1st gen stuff is really old (if they're still kicking), and the smaller 2nd gen units are merely old? Will the track structure have to be upgraded to accomodate larger locomotives?
mudchicken wrote: 1. Fuel consumption2. Tight curves in backtracks plus obsolete sharp turnouts3. Less lateral (L/V) forces on weaker track structure.
1. Fuel consumption
2. Tight curves in backtracks plus obsolete sharp turnouts
3. Less lateral (L/V) forces on weaker track structure.
Thanks, MC. I was kind of wondering if it was something along those lines. Of course, that begs the question: What happens in 10-20 years when the 1st gen stuff is really old (if they're still kicking), and the smaller 2nd gen units are merely old? Will the track structure have to be upgraded to accomodate larger locomotives?
Santa Fe upgraded therir track until they could rid themselves of all the endcab switchers except the "beep" which is still the shop goat at Topeka last I saw. Then the last of the industry owned trackage at Augusta was removed, they retired the last NW2. BN was much further behind in that department. Until recently, there were 4 NW2-m's at Council Bluffs at the old CB&Q yard on the far east side of town.
I know the BNSF computer has the status "laid up pending expiration". I wonder if theyd do that to motors waiting for service or inspection.
Joe,
Saw a run through of BNSF units last mon, the 21st in Hicksville while I ws at the track meet their. Was on an East bound coal drag. I also saw a set go through Sun. the 27th while I was on the east side by Krogers. Was west bound.
Long live the Santa Fe!!!!!!
Gale.
eolafan wrote: RRKen wrote:Scrap every last one of them. They served their time.Bite your tongue, young man, bite your tongue!
RRKen wrote:Scrap every last one of them. They served their time.
Bite your tongue, young man, bite your tongue!
Young man has a point! For a quick cash BNSF could scrap all the units.
Who says BNSF needs "quick cash"? They're still capital investments, after all.
my05hammer wrote:A friend of mine works in the railroad industry and he told me that some new EPA regulations have banned the use of 567 and 645 prime movers in locomotives on Class 1 roads, and by either 2009-2011 (do not remember the exact date but I can find out) they have to be permenently removed from service on class 1 railroads. The 710 currently passes the EPA regulations but is not long for the Class 1 world. EDIT: I just talked to my railroad friend and he stated that the 567 and 645 could be used on lass 1 roads if brought up to current standards, but the cost involved is not worth the effort and new locomotives will most likely be purchased instead. So this brings to mind the question, will BNSF remanufacture the SD40-2's or replace them?
This is not entirely accurate.
EPA Tier 3 regs state that any current Tier 0 engine (essentially 1970-1990) must meet Current Tier 2 standards if it is ever remanufactured.
As long as the locomotive is not remanufactured at the time Tier 3 comes into effect, then the unit is free to roam the rails. However, at some point it will need to either be scrapped or remanufactured. Nobody has found a way to make the 645 Tier 2 compliant yet, so eventually, they will die.
However, Tier 3 isn't in effect yet. We're still working with Tier 2 and Tier 2 states that they have to meet Tier 0 (or is it 1) specs.
This is why UP put cat motors in it's GP50s. It's also why EMD's 710ECO product looks intriguing. Especially if priced right.
So, no, they won't simply be swept from the rails. That's not true, but they won't be able to meet the new stringint remanufacture rules.
Incidently, the remanufacure rules also require the engine to support Automatic Engine Start/Stop.
al-in-chgo wrote: Who says BNSF needs "quick cash"? They're still capital investments, after all.
The locomotives may be capital investments but if they are over 15 years old or have gone more than 15 years since going through a capital rebuild program, they are carried on the books as fully depreciated.
Thanks to Joe LeMay for this shot of one of the SD40-2 light power moves of these veteran units to their new owners or "diesel heaven".
Has BNSF purged all SD40-2's from the roster or are some still operating in locals and performing yard duties?
Does BNSF have any Gensets Yet?
ATSFGuy (4-3):
Traveling through Texas last year, I came across and photographed two SD40-2’s and a GP30 on a local in Pampa. So, SD40-2’s are still around.
When some time is available, photos of those units will be posted.
Take care,
K.P.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
Since they have been mentioned by other Posters on this Thread. The current issue of TRAINS (May2017) has an article on EMD's GP-30, and its rebuild varients, by Chris Guss.
On page 12 of that issue, there is a brief article on UP's order for 45 Mother-Slug sets, rebuilt out of several SD series types[38-'s and 40-2's]. for various hump yard and trim jobs. Still finding use for these types.
The Promised Photos from Last Year
A local shot October 23, 2016 at Pampa, TX with SD40-2’s and a GP30 on the southern Transon.
It is hoped these contemporary photos adds further meaning to this thread.
SFbrkmnThe AC's don't work in the blazing heat, heaters don't work in the freezing cold, doors & windows don't seal up in the winter, toilets stink or don't flush, ice coolers don't keep items cool.Time these engs to go out to pasture along w/the GP 30's, 35's and the other antique junk.
The GP30 is more like a GP39-3 now.
BN rarely upgraded anything in the name of sameness.Santa Fe was constantly doing additional modifications over time. The two rationales must be playing out now with BNSF in the survival game. Wonder if anybody is keeping track of what stayed reliable longer? Some of the BN stuff was always clapped-out, failing en-route before the merger.
mudchickenThe GP30 is more like a GP39-3 now.
Isn't it a GP39-2R, not a -3? (Not that it matters except to nerds...) I think all the GP39-3s on BN were rebuilt directly from GP39-2s
Can't speak for the western roads' SD40s, but ours despite being rough around the edges still load fast and will grind the rail down to needles before they quit pulling. The new style cabs are actually pretty nice and the rooftop A/C when it works will blow ice cubes in your face. The worst of the bunch are the CR leftovers, but man do they have some good horns!
mudchicken The GP30 is more like a GP39-3 now. BN rarely upgraded anything in the name of sameness.Santa Fe was constantly doing additional modifications over time. The two rationales must be playing out now with BNSF in the survival game. Wonder if anybody is keeping track of what stayed reliable longer? Some of the BN stuff was always clapped-out, failing en-route before the merger.
BACK IN THE DAY, 4 SD 40'S WOULD OUT PULL, ANY SET OF 3 GE DASH9-40'S, AND, THOSE OLD "BN MOTORS" HAD REALLY COMFORTABLE SEATS.
TimChgo9, check the link in your footnote. Eyefetch appears to have met its demise.
The remaining SD40-2s have been renumbered 1565-1999.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.