BNSF to take delivery of some new rail breakers!

[David Collins]

Per facebook, BNSF is taking delivery of some new ET44C6H’s and ES44C6H’s. This is interesting as most of BNSF’s current GEVOs are ES44C4’s, which have 4 powered axles instead of 6 (2 are kept as unpowered), The new units will have all 6 axles powered, and are substantially heavier than most GEVO’s. Hence the H in the designation. Bet those will never end up on branchlines!

[~Z~]

Rail "breakers", as in a GEVO that's heavier than a normal loco, both of which are probably designed not to break the rail, thus, not a breaker?

[David Collins]

Rail "breakers", as in a GEVO that's heavier than a normal loco, both of which are probably designed not to break the rail, thus, not a breaker?

It was a joke, some locomotives that are considered to be very heavy are given the nickname rail breakers. It’s just that these units are quite a bit heavier (~10 tons) than most GEVO’s.

[Saturnalia]

Rail "breakers", as in a GEVO that's heavier than a normal loco, both of which are probably designed not to break the rail, thus, not a breaker?

It was a joke, some locomotives that are considered to be very heavy are given the nickname rail breakers. It’s just that these units are quite a bit heavier (~10 tons) than most GEVO’s.

A lot of railroads have ballasted GEVOS, including both CSX and UP IIRC.

An extra 10 tons ain't much, especially when it's spread over 12 wheels.