| By: | Philip M. Goldstein |
| Dates: | 4/7/2021 - 4/7/2021 |
| Album Info: | So, Jack Smith gives me a heads up of an empty coal out of Donie that I should catch.. I go out to the end of my driveway, take my pictures - I don't see anything unusual - a typical SD70ACe..
So I inquire of him further: Apparently there are only about 100 of these ACe's and they are early production run. From crew reports, they have severe vibration issues and are unusually loud in the cab quarters. As such, they are usually restricted from leading.
My interest piqued; I looked into it further:
"On 12-2-10 BNSF issued General Notice 938 which reads in part:
The following "North American Cab" locomotives are not suitable for lead or (crew) deadhead service:
BNSF 9330-9399
NS 2649-2778
CSXT 4831-4850
UP 8309-8620
KCS 3997-3999
KCS 4030-4315
KCS 8600-8629
MRL 4300-4315
FEC 100-103
CN 8000-8024
All listed are EMD SD70ACe and SD70M-2 models only. The reason is numerous crew complaints regarding excessive noise and vibration."
As a result, the units are referred to as "Thundercabs".
After the complaints, subsequent production SD70ACe's were modified to isolate the cab from frame and carbody; reducing vibration and noise.
Ya learn something new every day. Thanks Jack!
BNSF
Red River Division
Houston Subdivision
MP 168.46 - FM 977 gc
Flynn, Texas, USA
07 April 2021 - 12:34 CDT
BNSF E-DONBTM 03 (empty coal unit; Donie, TX / Limestone Generating Station to Black Thunder Mine, WY)
BNSF 9318 [EMD SD70ACe - phase 1]
BNSF 8999 [EMD SD70ACe - phase 2]
+ 3 DPU
all images: © 2021 ~ Phantastic Pherroequinology / Philip M. Goldstein |
