The subject says it all but did any one catch the GE GEVO ad and picture in the National Geographic? Kind of silly I know but suprized me.
I am not proud and reasonably well balanced. I will show my ignorance. What is a GEVO? I assume you are referring to a diesel thing. I am a kind of steam guy. Please advise.
Its' General Electric's latest locomotive design featuring reduced emissions to meet Tier I criteria for diesel locomotives. It looks almost exactly like an AC4400-CW only with a larger fan shroud on the back end. I think GE sent 30 or 40 test units to BNSF for fun. I guess if they don't want them, they'll send them back and repaint them. I want to see EMD's SD70ACe in pumpkin colors!
Thank you for the explanation. My interest in railroad periods cuts off at 1954 and my taste in music 1972.
Not bloody likely anytime soon. With over 1300 C44-9W units already on the property BNSF is firmly in the GE camp for the foreseeable future. At this point the only way they would jump ship would be with a token order to help keep EMD in business. The equipment leasing scheme used by railroads greatly favors GE products and most railroads are loate to rock the boat at this point because of that.
in the latest model railroader there is a nice picture of the gevo and the 70ace. both are sharp looking.....now to try and see how long before kcs gets an ace...... would look great leading a pack of sd60s!!!!
Sooner or later, the overworked SD70MACs from BN's original orders from 1994-6 will need replacing. Granted the new ACeez are coming on line, and GEVOz are testing, but BNSF will need more coal-service units soon. The SD60M's were bumped to helper service, and to lesser duties on the rest of the system, as well as the ubiquitous SD40-2's. The extra order Dash-9 (DCeez) are on the way, but it is unlikely many will stray into coal service. BNSF may be looking into the new ACe, only time will tell. I know this post mainly deals with coal units, but intermodal, and manifest trains are by and large pulled almost exclusively by DCeez. Here's a brand-new DC Dash-9, leading a DENSTO manifest on the old D&RGW:
That's partly what I have been trying to figure out. Which locos I need on my roster for intermodals and manifest freights. I have 4 SD70MACs and 3 AC4400s. I think I have my coal trains covered. (a major point on my home layout). I was thinking I should pick up some SD60Ms for that purpose, but it sounds like I really need Dash 9s.
Oh.... and great looking pic Jeremy. That gives me a reason to own an NS in my fleet. Maybe I should pick up a Kato SD70M?
SD70M in Uncle Pete? They have over 1500, I think.... They are a dime a dozen thru Cheyenne--personally I get tired of seeing them. Besides, they're all filthy! I wouldn't, but I am less a UP fan than BNSF/D&RGW combined.
Isn't the only difference in AC4400 and Gevo units the emission standards that go into effect for next year?I know there are some cabinet differences but they are minor.Other than the radiator wings that is.
The wings are the mst noticable spotting feature, but other than that, a GEVO is essentially an AC4400CW with stricter Tier II emissions controls, AFAIK.
As far as the BNSF GEVOs go, There are grab irons on the fireman's side of the carbody up to the roof top. Along with the larger radiator section, the intakes below the radiators are configured differently, and the rear headlight is located midway up on the carbody rather than up top on the radiator frame. Internally, the GEVO has a 12 cylinder prime mover instead of the typical 16 found on the other GE products.
Here are some detail shots of the BNSF GEVOs: First, an overall view of the engineer's side. Now the rear portion of the fireman's side. The rear to front on the enigneer's side. And the rear carbody [ 28. October 2004, 02:14: Message edited by: doofus ]
