BNSF has C4 units, and from what I can tell, even though (or maybe as a result of) the way the axles are designed, they are apparently notorious for wheelslip (On the scanner a while ago, Mechanical said “That’s just what C4s do” in reference to a train that had stalled out on Palmer Lake and was having wheelslip issues.) So I know that they already have 1000+ C4 units across the AC44C4Ms, ES44C4s, and the ET44C4s, but as time goes on, is BNSF planning to rebuild their 700-799 series warbonnet Dash 9s, like they’ve done with the ex- ATSF warbonnets, and maybe later on, the H1 and H2 units? And if so, is it likely they would be six motor units still, or of the C4 version?
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You know, I think they are slipping because of their four powered motors.
Yes, I am aware of that, but I was asking more so if BNSF was going to rebuild more of the old GEs, as they’ve rebuilt some of the ATSF Warbonnets.
Those are Board Room decisions that are based on $$$$$$ more than they are on operating effectiveness.
Effectively, going back to steam era comparisons, The C4’s are the 80 inch drivered high speed passenger engines and the 6 axle AC’s are the 50 inch drivered drag tonnage haulers. The Board has to decide monetarily which benefits the company at this point in time and in the future from their vantage point of today.
Ah, that makes sense. I would have assumed that the railroad’s cost-cutting measures would not have extended to new motive power, what’s cheaper vs what’s better in terms of TE, but I guess it does. Thanks!
No, it’s what’s cheaper–buying new or rebuilding an old locomotive with limited service life left.
I mean, according to the AI overview on Google, buying a new ES44C4 is 2-2.5 million USD, but rebuilding a Dash 9 would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.5-2 million per unit, and it would also add 20+ years to the service life apparently as well though
The Board Room’s take all forms of costs for locomotives into consideration when making motive power decisions - more cost factors then we can concieve of.
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Ah, I hadn’t though about the other costs besides the outright costs; this is really serving to show how much I don’t know, but I mean, I’m learning and that’s what this whole website is for right?
The one thing to remember about railroads - their purpose is to make money for the company by hauling customers freight to the customers satisfaction. THAT IS ALL.
What it takes to do that includes myriad of things one never think about, but without which the whole game comes to a complete stop. It takes money to make money - investment into plant and moving equipment as well as employees to manage and operate everything - plant and equipment.
I am a 3rd generation railroader. My Grandfather did almost 48 years, my Father did 37 and I put in 51.5 before I pulled the pin. Neither my Grandfather or Father would recognize what railroads have become in the 21st Century. While the WW II was the so called heyday’s of American railroading - today’s Class 1’s, collectively handle more tonnage, much more tonnage than was handled during that time period and are doing it with about 10% of the railroad work force that existed during the War.
Ahhhhh, I guess so!