Two things-parts commonality with the newer units as well as preserving parts supply as I believe that Siemens have dropped the inverter line used on earlier EMD ACs.
Interesting that they are using that designation. I'm not surprised that they switched out the Siemens inverters for the SD70ACe Mitsubishi equipment, but I wonder if they bothered to upgrade them to the same Tier 2? Without any radiator modifications, I doubt it.
Time for an update since there has been some changes in status. Unless there are some units still lurking in the car shops there appears to be a total of 12 units undergoing rebuild: 9714, 9716, 9717, 9718, 9721, 9725, 9728, 9730, 9736, 9738, 9746 and 9748. Gathering some info from other sources the rebuild seems to be related to largely electrical upgrades like new Mitsubishi Inverters, and new traction control systems. Over the past several months the units could be seen outside with 4 primered panels (two on each side) and the Primer Mover idling. This seems to be some sort of enhanced testing perhaps?
About two weeks ago units 9721, 9730, 9736, 9746 and 9748 were lashed up on the outbound track in their original colors except the primered inverter panels. They have since departed the area and I presume headed east. Units 9714, 9716, 9717 and 9725 remain outside the shops idiling, also in their original colors. 9718 and 9738 were last seen mid-January and may have left. However, I have seen several primered radiator hoods so one or both could be inside the shops.
The real find was last night when I stopped by only to find a brand new sparkling 9728 in a H3 paint scheme parked on the outbound track. Not only was it new but it had a new designation, a SD70MACe. I took a nighttime photo but haven't figured out how to post it if anyone is interested.
So, far this seems to be a pilot program with a limited number of units but with BNSF having almost 800 units it looks like they are at least looking into a long range plan of rebuilding at least a portion of their stable. Could be cheaper than buying a bunch of new units with no proof they will last as long as the SD70MAC's.
Since thay are keeping the same road numbers, will they be recieving a new dsignation such as SD70MACu or such to show that these units have been rebuilt?
Does the rebuild program go from one inverter per truck, two per locomotive, to one inverter per motor, total six per locomotive, to give better slip control and better traction in less-than-perfect rail adhesion conditions? Anyone know?
ML
They are keeping their old numbers although I haven't seen a finished unit yet.
Are the SD70MAC's that are being rebuilt getting renumbered or are they keeping their same numbers?
SooBoy61 My travels throughout the Pacific Northwest take be through Tacoma and starting back in Mid-October I starting noticing a grouping of BNSF Executive SD70MAC's showing up at the Progress Rail shops here. What was unusual was that the units numbers were all closely grouped. After doing a little research I see these units are about 20 years old and in what might be the beginning of a BNSF rebuild program. Since then, on occasions that I've driven by, various units have been out (or in) the shop. Also hoods have been removed, set outside and then returned in just primer. Its hard to get a real close look as they are behind a fence and sometimes parked next to each other. The unit numbers seen are as follows: 9711, 9714, 9716, 9717, 9718, 9721, 9736
My travels throughout the Pacific Northwest take be through Tacoma and starting back in Mid-October I starting noticing a grouping of BNSF Executive SD70MAC's showing up at the Progress Rail shops here. What was unusual was that the units numbers were all closely grouped.
After doing a little research I see these units are about 20 years old and in what might be the beginning of a BNSF rebuild program. Since then, on occasions that I've driven by, various units have been out (or in) the shop. Also hoods have been removed, set outside and then returned in just primer. Its hard to get a real close look as they are behind a fence and sometimes parked next to each other.
The unit numbers seen are as follows:
9711, 9714, 9716, 9717, 9718, 9721, 9736
those units plus 1 more are there for electrical system upgrades. The as-built Siemens inverters and associated gear are being replaced with Mitsubishi inverters and related gear as found on the SD70ACe.
Bryan Jones
I can see BNSF rebuilding their AC-traction SD70MAC since they have such a large fleet of them. The much smaller roster of DC-traction SD75Ms and SD75I's don't really have a future with BNSF and many have already been removed from their roster with several sold to NS.
BNSF has been rumored to be starting a rebuild program which will probably be in-kind.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.