In case anybody's a-wonderin' what these here fellers is so excited about, click on this here linky thang: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1046734
So I'll be driving through that area on the way to Tahoe tomorrow... but still.. why is this so exciting? (never been much of a rail fan 'cept on the layout)
I guess for me... with the stuff running past, I usually see C44-9W or equivilant GE stuff from BNSF (though sometimes they put on a nice show with other stuff, occasional SD60M's etc...). From UP, I get to see SD70ACe all the time mixed in with SD70M's and C44-9W or equivilant. However, I've never seen in person a BNSF ACe. That's what's fun. :tb-biggrin:
Makes so much more sense now! I'm going Camping in Tahoe over the weekend.. Doubt I'll find this guy, but hopefully one of our hikes will take us up over the railroad line in the Donner Lake area.
I probably should post this in the MRL thread, however since we are on the topics of ACe. My friend has driven one of these in Helper service on Bozeman Pass (MRL) BTW he is a switchman in Livingston.
BN9900, what did you friend think of the ACE's? I have only had one on the point, a KCS SD70ACE and have mixed feelings about them. I really liked the cab layout and it was a good puller but it is noisy in there. The older SD70MAC's, GE -8/9 and Evolotion locomotives are much quieter, it was nearly as loud as a SD40-2 in the cab, plus it had a seperate switch for the ditch lights that I found odd on a new locomotive. I will hold my judgement untill I get a few more of them but in the NW we do not see many of them on the BNSF and it might be sometime before I get one again. Kevin
Hmmmmmm. I'll have to cross my fingers for a BNSF ACe being helped over Bozeman pass by 3 or 4 MRL ACe's. I see the MRL ACe's going by my house at least 12 times a day (average of 1 train an hour).... I can sit on my porch and watch them about 100 yds away. Never seen one in BNSF colors. I enjoyed 3 KCS engines in the new red/yellow/black paint a few weeks ago.
Kevin funny enough his name is Kevin too. Well he likes them but since hes a switchman on the local out of Livingston 5 days a week, he only calls on the helpers 1 day a week. He has an ex DRGW GP35 and ex SP GP35 for local power and since hes a DRGW nut that suits him fine. He does like the aces for the way they handle in helper service but once again the 45s are his favorite...
I work out of Spokane normally, but for the moment I am in Seattle doing the engineer training programe. Kevin
If you have a spare day, come up to the Bellingham Railway Museum, it's small but we share history through models and photos.The MRL is in the same situation right now and Kevin is free and clear to keep that cushy job right now the 7:30-4 local. For the website the link is my signature.
