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BNSF to take delivery of some new rail breakers!
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2023 12:47 pm
by David Collins
Per facebook, BNSF is taking delivery of some new ET44C6H’s and ES44C6H’s. This is interesting as most of BNSF’s current GEVOs are ES44C4’s, which have 4 powered axles instead of 6 (2 are kept as unpowered), The new units will have all 6 axles powered, and are substantially heavier than most GEVO’s. Hence the H in the designation. Bet those will never end up on branchlines!
Re: BNSF to take delivery of some new rail breakers!
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2023 2:21 pm
by ~Z~
Rail "breakers", as in a GEVO that's heavier than a normal loco, both of which are probably designed not to break the rail, thus, not a breaker?
Re: BNSF to take delivery of some new rail breakers!
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2023 2:40 pm
by David Collins
~Z~ wrote: ↑Mon Jun 19, 2023 2:21 pm
Rail "breakers", as in a GEVO that's heavier than a normal loco, both of which are probably designed not to break the rail, thus, not a breaker?
It was a joke, some locomotives that are considered to be very heavy are given the nickname rail breakers. It’s just that these units are quite a bit heavier (~10 tons) than most GEVO’s.
Re: BNSF to take delivery of some new rail breakers!
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2023 5:58 pm
by Saturnalia
David Collins wrote: ↑Mon Jun 19, 2023 2:40 pm
~Z~ wrote: ↑Mon Jun 19, 2023 2:21 pm
Rail "breakers", as in a GEVO that's heavier than a normal loco, both of which are probably designed not to break the rail, thus, not a breaker?
It was a joke, some locomotives that are considered to be very heavy are given the nickname rail breakers. It’s just that these units are quite a bit heavier (~10 tons) than most GEVO’s.
A lot of railroads have ballasted GEVOS, including both CSX and UP IIRC.
An extra 10 tons ain't much, especially when it's spread over 12 wheels.