Norfolk Southern to purchase SD90MACs

This begs the question: UP is hard up for motive power like everyone else. Why aren't they running them themselves?

Lease is up on them...

 

NS will eventually rebuild them to SD70ACE specs and be able to avoid the Tier4 requirements.  They're going to be numbered following the SD80MACs of former Conrail heritage.

 

NS has also purchased a few former BNSF SD75Ms and BN SD60Ms (triclops windows) the past couple of months.  Those will be repainted soon and probably receive the SD60E treatment when it's time to rebuild.

Pardon my lack of loco knowledge but what do they do when NS rebuilds these?  And what are Tier4 requirements?   Is there a reason they aren't ordering new GE and EMD units?  Or do they do that often as well?

mike w,

tier4 requirements are all about emmissions from the exhust.

For a 18 wheeler with this new exhust and motor crap, it cost another $10,000 to $12,000 to meet EPA exhust emmissions.

Now think of how much extra it will cost for a new train diesel to meet this...

Because these units were built in the late 90's, when they are overhauled, they will have to be upgraded to a higher tier level than they were built with, but less than Tier IV. Two main reasons for these purchases. One, NS needs power NOW, not later, and there is a LOT of uncertainty when EITHER builder can provide new Tier IV units, how much they will cost to buy and maintain, and how well they will even work.  Until that mess straightens itself out, NS is hedging their bets by buying up used power they think thay can get some life out of.  IF the units don't pan out, or the need passes, they will likely get dumped back to a lease fleet.  At the VERY least, NS could salvage the 710 engines from the 9043MACs and use them to upgrade other older units. A LOT of people are critical of these NS purhases, but what we don't know is how much they are actually paying for them.  It COULD be that if these locos run 50% of the time, NS would be money ahead.  Who knows?  I DO know that an engineer I know told me that the beat up green ex BNSF SD40-2s that NS bought ran as good or better than the other NS power he normally runs.

   Yes and no.I've had my share of these newly used units lately and have had to shop a few.Some of the units do seem to be pretty good power,especially those that came originally from the UP.

  I've had a few of the ex CSX (HMLX's I think) units that run good,but had been moth balled for about seven years,with seven years of dust inside .

How much does the newest EMD or GE freight loco cost new?  several million?

Check Altoona Works for future details on the SD9043MAC's...............

 

http://www.altoonaworks.info/

 

Regards,

Swafford

I would assume new straight from GE / EMD locos cost millions...not unlike a small jet.  All the tech on them.

 

When NS or CSX rebuild old EMD/GE do they use a custom design or is it standard?  I notice the rebuilds have specific names...are these model names proprietary?

I have seen quite an array of motive power in my area in S. Jersey. It a small short line, but it services a refinery that is still running(believe it or not) and few other facilities. A number of passing sidings were added to assist in managing the oil tankers.

 

I usually see pairs of the smaller units. I started seeing some of the larger ex-BNSF stuff last year still with BNSF paint. Their catching up, like the Rolling Stones song "Paint It Black", with the white NS details. The shops must be busy.

 

mackb4, I hope they get some vacuum cleaners on those engines for you!

 

Run'em 'til they drop seems more cost effective than buying the new Tier 4 engines when there's plenty of engines that can qualify to the transition standards. 

Swafford,

Thanks for the interesting link. Admiral Cabs...

 

Can you put your links in to open a new window? Altoona Works or http://www.altoonaworks.info/

I am no an accountant but I suspect there are financial advantages(taxes, etc) to a rebuild. Plus delivery is probably a big issue. The boys in the Altoona shops will be busy. And NS wanted to close them when they took over Conrail.

I like this kind of news !    After all....Every Model Delivers !  U-Rah !

SD9043MAC's in the NS color scheme will look spectacular!

 

Regards,

Swafford

I read that they will be rebuilt in to SD70ACes which might change the  style a bit.  Plus an engineer told me once that some equiptment on the 80s & 90s is different than on the 70s so you lose he commonality.  Being a dumpster diver at train shows I can understand NS's  philosophy !!

If and when they are rebuilt, I would think the major changes would be with the electrical systems, which SEEMS to be the major bugaboo with these units anyway.   The prime movers are the same basic design, there is plenty of room for small add ons, and I can't think of any reason to make major carbody changes.  I would venture to say that 99% of any changes wouldn't be visible on the outside.

Have any of the UP SD9043MAC's shown up at the Altoona Shops yet?

 

Regards,

Swafford

I bet one would look great in a Green PRR 5 stripe! Hint Frank Hint

Good Day John,

 

I prefer the PRR green too! NS needs to add another color scheme to their Heritage fleet! I found this PRR ES44AC drawing on the Internet several years ago.

 

The PRR green with 5 stripes is a classic! 

 

Best Regards,

Frank

The Altoona Shops are going to be busy for we are looking to upgrade all of our units to FRA's spec to have all Lead units equipped with PTC, Positive Train Control. This is a gray area due to lack of intel from the FRA I hear, yet our fleet only has 2 units equipped and every lead unit has to be upgraded by the end of 2015, hence we will be busy. The BN 60M's are coming in at Altoona we dispatched the 6814 as you all have seen and we have at least 2 more in the circle. I am not sure when the 90's will make it in, I believe we did buy a 100 of them. With that being said it will be a struggle to get the PTC Mods done and get this new power back out on the rail but I can let ya know when they arrive. 

I also heard rumors that NS is looking to purchase the CSX SD80MACs, reuniting the Conrail fleet.

 

Also, the soon to be ex-FEC EMD SD70M-2s may draw interest from NS?

Yes you are correct we are purchasing the rest of the 80's,  we need power and with EMD not making tier 4 locomotives for awhile we are buying up their chassis/power and eventually rebuild them.

I was driving on I76 up through philly today to get on I476 and heard some train horns to the right of the highway. I look down onto the tracks because I was only going 10 feet and stopping and saw a ex santa fe SD75 still in warbonnet colors leading with 2 NS in black behind it. It had BNSF under the cab window, so I guess this is one of the engines NS bought. First time I saw warbonnet santa fe in philadelphia pa.

 

 

From what I heard it will be at least 2 years, but I'm sure they will be working hard to get them out sooner,  from what I was told their locomotives barley meet tier 2.

WOW 2017.......................With a 2 year wait on their Tier 4 emissions certification what will the employees at the Munice IN plant be building? 

 

Regards,

Frank

Most likely export units and "rebuilds" like the CP GP ECO units.

A new lease on life for those bruisers? Wonderful.

 

I live near the CSX AWP/WofA and suffer from G.E poisoning.

 

Most EMDs here are UP SD70Ms on run through trains

 

OK, what about the CP SD90's?  Is Hunter going to sell them?  Some, if all, are on lease.

So once NS upgrades a used loco is it still a GE or EMD or does it then become custom?  Do model RR mfgers ever replicate a modified unit?

 

So does NS only have Juniata and Roanoke?  Are both busy?  Where were the former Southern shops and are they still used?    What about CSX?