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Trains News Wire EXCLUSIVE: Warbonnets to roam Norfolk Southern rails
I heard NS also bought 100 SD90/43s from UP.
I assume NS is just stemming the tide of the expensive regulated higher tier EPA mandated locomotives. Kudos. Getting power to grandfather in kind.
Kind of makes me wonder why BNSF is getting rid of these and UP is getting rid of the SD9043’s when NS has no problem using them at all. It’s not like NS can’t afford new power if they wanted it. Maybe the rumor of all that black paint indicating the frugal nature of NS has some merit…no, wait, I forgot the expensive “heritage” paint schemes on those 20 new units…darn.
I say we have another NS heritage paint scheme…ATSF heritage that is! Absolutely fine with me!
Does Tier IV start January 1, 2015? If so, or whatever the date is, the question is whether there is any additional capacity of new production to be built before the effective date. If backorders equals or exceeds capacity, then used power is the only way to go if you need/want additional units. How many does BNSF have on order? Same for UP?
The only proper color for an engine… Warbonnet!
Warbonets when they were new by far the best looking locomotive to ever ride the rails.
Pretty Cool, Stuff… Would like to see them back out here in Kansas racing back,and forth with the 'Stackers" in their WarBonnet Scheme, with Norfolk Southern across the nose and Long Hoods… BNSF seem to run them 1st out when they power their trains on the Southern T-con…
I believe NS has an order for 25 new SD70ACe locomotives to be delivered before the end of this year.
My vote is to keep them in their original colors.
Wish I were back in my old stomping ground of East Peoria to see them. I’ve been a fan of warbonnets since I was a kid 60 years ago and watched them on the “old” ATSF main line.
Dont paint them
Dont paint them
As someone said on another list, “Everythings better, with warbonnet on it” (for those who remember the old Blue Bonnet butter commercials!" Apparently GE’s production capacity was largely eaten up this year by BNSF and UP orders. CSX and NS were unable to get GE deliveries until 2015, once Tier 4 has taken effect. NS does have a 50 unit order for SD70ACe’s 1125-1174 for 4th qtr 2014. CSX has nothing for 2014 but considering a large 300 unit order for 2015 and leasing what is available in the meantime. NS returned the 80 GP38’s in the 5500 series to FURX, which is now leasing them to CSX. NS did buy 81 SD40-2’s from HLCX 3505-3584 to replace the FURX GP’s.
You folks in Pennsylvania: We really need a picture of a Warbonnet rounding Horseshoe Curve!
Keep the Santa Fe paint. It is too beautiful to paint over. We still have one war bonnet that comes through Claremont, CA everyday with a short string of grain gondolas and box cars, but its twin was repainted a couple of years ago.
Oh yeah! You have it right Gary(Norway me?). Warbonnets on the Horseshoe Curve! What a comeback!
Sure wish BNSF would take the hint from NS and UP and paint some heritage units, especially ATSF blue and yellow warbonnets. That paint sure seemed to weather better than orange.