It didn't take very long for this BNSF ES44AC to end up at the repair facility for rebuilding. And it was only factory new seven months ago.
Funny you posted that pic. I actually know the story behind this one. North of Amarillo in Dumas, That unit was the head end unit on a loaded coal train running in dark territorry. A road switcher set some loaded grain cars out in a elevator track. After the work was done, the brakeman forgot to line the switch for the main and the crew reported to the dispatcher that all main line switches were lined for the main line. The crew on the load got a track warrant to proceed. They were going 42 mph and never seen the open switch until about 5 car lenghts before the switch. They put the train in emergency and went over the switch and over the derail and then hit a set of loaded cars at 39 mph. We got to watch this video from the on-board camera. The conductor went out the front door and realized that he wouldnt have time to jump. So he went back up in the cab and he and the engineer both grabbed the bases of the seats. At inpact, it knocked that engine on its side and the coal cars started stacking up behind them. It was an unbelieveable video that just gives me bumps all over when thinking about it. For the crew, I know the engineer and he had some scratches and bruises and a couple stitches also. The conductor got his head cut pretty bad but neither one was seriously injuried. The FRA personally fined everyone on the road switcher crew for not following the proper steps in use a switch in dark territory. Those guys are very lucky to be alive.
Very lucky, I saw the video too.mg: Between that video and the one from Kismet, CA, I was wide awake that night at work:sad:
That one at Kismet was pretty wild too. Wonder what was going through that guys head when he was jumping off the walk way???
I noticed the unit in your sig is one digit off from the unit in question. 5941 vs 4941... okay. call me a nerd.:nerd:
Welcome to Trainboard, BNSFBiggs!!! That GEVO sure had a hard life so far... Is she back in service, or is that a recent photo?
Maybe it's because I'm not a connoiseur of wreck photos, but I don't know how to guess whether a unit is repairable. To my untrained eye, I wouldn't have expected 5942 to be economicaly repairable - it looks like there's quite a bit of frame damage.
I was wondering whether the radiator is simply bent or if the frame below was bent to give it a twist.
Wow, After seeing the picture of the engine I notice the big angled piece of steel that sits right inside the first door still intact. I always see them and wonder how much they will really hold up in a impact and it seems they hold up pretty good. I don't think it moved at all. Makes me feel a little safer now. Looks like the cab ripped around it leaving it in full view. Looks like it is winking at you don't it.
When you compare it to the cost of a new unit, a complete ground-up rebuild of the same type unit is economical, especially when you can salvage and recondition many components. What will be interesting is if this unit gets a new frame number when it's rebuilt
Back in the earier days, (especially in steam days) a railroad would rebuild almost any damage. Nowadays, especially on older units, frame damage generally gives a scrapper's torch sentence to a unit.
The photo shows the engine at Mid America, which is a rebuild facility. I saw on another site that she will be rebuilt. :teeth:
Those are pretty wild video's, managment has had the TY&E guys watching them. Those GE's are pretty tuff engines. Kevin
There geting that way state side. BNSF said that all the new locomotives are getting cameras mounted on the cab, but don't record cab conversation. UP has had a few anouncments in our local rag RRStar, saying that most engines have cameras and now grade crossings have a device like a aircraft black box. In otherwords, mind the crossings motorist.
