BNSF SD70ACe's

[SD80MAC]

Been hearing this around over the last couple of days, but apparently BNSF has prohibited it's own SD70ACe's as well as foreign ACe's and SD70M-2's from leading trains, due to excessive vibration and noise. As of now they are trailing units only. Not sure what's going to happen, but one would think EMD would be trying to come up with a fix. This doesn't surprise me given what I've heard about these units, some say they "literally rattle your teeth out".

[sd70accsxt700]

This is more then just BNSF, I hear it is applying to every EMD SD70M-2 and ACe ever built pre Isolated cab. All railroads, NS KCS, FEC, CSX, CN, ect. Something about major cab compents falling apart.

[GLC 392]

From TO

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

[AARR]

Trains Mag just ran another article how EMD is poised for a big comeback yet in reality their program receives another embarrassing setback.

[Y@]

This is more then just BNSF, I hear it is applying to every EMD SD70M-2 and ACe ever built pre Isolated cab. All railroads, NS KCS, FEC, CSX, CN, ect. Something about major cab compents falling apart.

That's gotta suck for FEC... I see shots of them leading in pairs all the time.

Back to the SD40-2's and GP40-2's we go!

[sd70accsxt700]

I can say this, so far this is not true on CSX, as when I went to work last night there was no System Bulleten about it yet, and 4831 was leading a eastbound last night.

[GLC 392]

I saw one of CSX's 4800's leading a empty coal train the other day.

[Mr. Tops]

Haven't heard anything on UP either.

Currently around me:
UP 8369 leading ZYCMQ 09
UP 8501 leading ILADU 07
UP 8525 leading QNLCH 09
UP 8581 leading ZLDYC 07
UP 8592 leading QNPSKP 09
NS 2679 leading MNLAS 09
NS 2716 leading QNLPIJ 08/NS 10E

[GLC 392]

I think that it is a Rule that BNSF put into affect, meaning that none of those engines listen can be ran on their railroad leading, and not affecting the other class ones on how or where to run their own engines.

[EJ&ESDM809]

That is correct, the rule relates to BNSF rails only. The rule does not effect UP, NS, CSX, FEC, etc.

[gvtfan]

I'm wondering if this applies to BNSF SD70ACes on non-home rails as well, like when one comes out onto CSX, or if BNSF can just uphold that policy on their rails. I'm also confused; has this been mandated for crew comfort/safety, or so the cab components in the locomotive don't fall apart?

[SD80MAC]

Pretty sure this is a BNSF policy only, haven't seen anything about the other railroads doing it. The units in question vibrate so much that it's very uncomfortable for the crews, hence trailing only. A conductor friend of mine has lots of stories about how NS SD70M-2's will literally rattle your teeth out.

[ns8401]

Pretty sure this is a BNSF policy only, haven't seen anything about the other railroads doing it. The units in question vibrate so much that it's very uncomfortable for the crews, hence trailing only. A conductor friend of mine has lots of stories about how NS SD70M-2's will literally rattle your teeth out.

It might be worth their while to put some pads under the cab somehow to insulate them somewhat from the vibration... sort of like shocks on a car...

[Mr. Tops]

It might be worth their while to put some pads under the cab somehow to insulate them somewhat from the vibration... sort of like shocks on a car...

Esentially giving them an isolated cab like SD60I's, SD75I's, SD80's, SD90's, etc. Isolated cabs ride like bucking bulls. I'm not sure they'd be making them any better.

[ns8401]

All I could think of.... The only time I was actually on one the train was in Emergency.... So not much bucking going on