The two locomotives were routed to Progress Rail’s Tacoma facility earlier this summer for repainting prior to delivery. Tacoma Rail No. 7001 was spotted outside Progress Rail yesterday in fresh paint this week. The locomotive was former EMDX No. 1211.
The two SD70ACe-P4s will initially be leased with an option to purchase. Tacoma Rail’s SD70ACe-P4s have the distinction of being the first two SD70ACe-P4s produced new.
The departure of these locomotives leaves only two remaining demonstrators in EMD’s fleet, SD70ACe-P4 EMDX No. 1207 and SD70ACe-P6 EMDX No. 4223.
The SD70ACe-P4 is EMD’s solution to provide an AC traction alternative that is equal to or better than the performance of the company’s SD70M-2 that uses six DC traction motors. The six-axle SD70ACe-P4 uses four AC traction motors and two idler axles nearest to the fuel tank.
The way the nose is painted makes it look like a GE, when in reality, if you look closer, the familiar flat-topped EMD nose is there – it's just covered in red paint that hides it, along with the angle and lighting.
It's actually a different set up than the C4s. The center axle on the C4s are the unpowered ones. But, yes. The C4s suck when starting a train, especially up a grade.
Sorry, I should have said B1-1B. However, the BNSF.engineers were commenting on their locomotives which have 4 motors and. 6 axles which is the same setup and should have the same problems on 3% grades.
Thanks Dedrick
Lowell, did you read the article? They aren't C-Cs.
According to some BNSF engineers 4 motor C-C engines don`t do well on heavy grades. So what were they thinking if they have 3% gradrs?
Man! These are some ugly locomotives.
This should help get those big trains up that 3% "Tacoma gulch" hill..Also, it's too bad that Tacoma Rail doesn't fix that big washout just north of Morton, so that big r.r.tie plant can return to rail shipments.
Almost looks like a GE locomotive by the front
Mr Reid : It was a matter of inventory for the Class I Railroad customers.
"Crooked corner" windshields also mean more expensive to replace windshields.
Great engine, but why is EMD styling GE type windshields? I think the crooked corner windshields look better, EMD should keep those crooked corners, Its EMD all the way, I guess playing catch up means look like the competitor.