There is a bright new locomotive with a very large GE symbol on the side that has been there for several days. It looks like there is a test car between it and another locomotive that is painted gray. The workers have a shade put up next to the GE engine to work under. Some of the panels are open and there are several banks of high pressure vessels next to the engine and might be connected to the engine. Does anyone know they might be doing? I wished I could get a photo.
High altitude testing.
Altitude at Flagstaff is reported at 6,910 Ft (BNSF line at ?)
Union Pacific has conducted high altitude tests at the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel-
altitude is approx 9200 Ft.
From the description could the tests be for some kind of environmental effect?
Is this the engine you saw?
I should have done more research about these engines. There is an article about the GECX 2012 being at Flagstaff Main in Trainorders. I would still like to know what kind of gas they have in the high pressure bottles next to the engine and what the gas is used for in the tests. There is also a good video of these engines on you tube, BNSF 7898 west with GE’S test units.