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EMD Tier 4 locomotives testing on UP lines in Colorado
With the big downturn in coal and oil shipments, resulting in a parade of stored units, I seriously doubt that sales of these new units will get off the ground any time soon.
EPA won’t be happy until steam returns which I guess is the answer to the future “tier 9”.
Technically there are five members of the SD70 family in this photo. The new locos are such a radical departure for EMD perhaps the model number should reflect this?
Perhaps EMD wants to emphasize that the horsepower and performance of the new model are similar (not identical) and wants the railroads to view the new model as more similar than different, especially if the railroads are generally happy with their SD70ACEs.
Mr. Berg, many of the stored units are of the older, less efficient variety. When and if rail traffic returns, they’ll only bring back these units as a last resort. The replacement of these units with newer, more reliable, more fuel efficient ones will continue apace.
If railroads are happy with the SD70ACe, then how come GE is still beating them with their ES and ET models? How come GE came out with a Tier 4 loco way ahead of EMD? GE now essentially has a monopoly on new units for domestic service. Not rebuilt units, like the ECO, new units. EMD had the chance, they didn’t do it. I’m sure it’s hitting them below the belt with a sledgehammer. Export models are not enough to have the company survive into next year without some sort of layoffs.
One must wonder.
The Metrolink order does not count. Forgot to add that. For the purposes of my last comment, it’s restricted to freight units.