Western Railroad Discussion > WY: stored BNSF SD70MAC units at Gillette?

I was in Gillette  WY a few weeks ago and saw what looks like an enormous number of stored locomotives.  It seemed like miles of power on the south side of the yard.  I believe most / all were SD70MAC. Multiple color schemes and heritage versions.

Are these waiting rebuild, sale, return to leasers, scrapping?  At about 25 years old, I'd guess they are fully depreciated on the books, but they are Tier 3 units.

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
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> At about 25 years old, I'd
> guess they are fully depreciated on the books, but
> they are Tier 3 units.

They aren't Tier 3 units. I'm pretty sure even the newest 70MACs dont even meet Tier 1 requirements.

According to Railfan & Railroad November issue, BNSF has 150 SD70 MAC's stored in servicable condition.     

Dave

Probably "surge fleet" power (ie stored serviceable).

Wish BNSF would put all these through a rebuild program.  Unfortunately, BNSF didn't do that for their huge numbers of SD40-2's either, like UP has done.  Good power just rotting away I guess...

arizonaBNSF Wrote:
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> They aren't Tier 3 units. I'm pretty sure even the
> newest 70MACs dont even meet Tier 1 requirements.

CSX and Alaska RR have Tier 1 SD70MACs, there the ones with the flared radiators looking like a widecab SD45.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/09/18 10:02 by SOO6617.

      Simple, if you don't need the power, you don't spend $MMillions rebuilding.
 

dcfbalcoS1 Wrote:
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>       Simple, if you don't need the power, you
> don't spend $MMillions rebuilding.
>  
If you don't need the power, why do you keep it?

Rebuilding is an option, or selling.

Posted from Android

Here is a picture from 2016,. There were three long lines of motive power at Domkey Creek yard.


Chris

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Lackawanna484 Wrote:
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> Rebuilding is an option, or selling.

Unless you don't need the power, but want to keep it for a surge fleet. 

There was a single line at Rozat WY on 9-6-18.  Dan

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Just for info, the stories of the stored power go back to before 2010. I have photos of three tracks of SD70's taken in 2010 from the overpass at Gillette and it was old news back then. The PRB coal business just seems to have a lot ups and downs.

amazing

No graffitti and likely no vandalism or wire theft.

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was in Gillette  WY a few weeks ago and saw
> what looks like an enormous number of stored
> locomotives.  It seemed like miles of power on
> the south side of the yard.  I believe most / all
> were SD70MAC. Multiple color schemes and heritage
> versions.
>
> Are these waiting rebuild, sale, return to
> leasers, scrapping?  At about 25 years old, I'd
> guess they are fully depreciated on the books, but
> they are Tier 3 units.

brc600 Wrote:
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> No graffitti and likely no vandalism or wire
> theft.
>
> Lackawanna484 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I was in Gillette  WY a few weeks ago and saw
> > what looks like an enormous number of stored
> > locomotives.  It seemed like miles of power on
> > the south side of the yard.  I believe most /
> all
> > were SD70MAC. Multiple color schemes and
> heritage
> > versions.
> >
> > Are these waiting rebuild, sale, return to
> > leasers, scrapping?  At about 25 years old,
> I'd
> > guess they are fully depreciated on the books,
> but
> > they are Tier 3 units.

Yes, I meant to comment on how clean / grafiti free the equipment was.