NEW BNSF "Heavy" Locomotives On Colorado's Joint Line

Four of BNSF's new ET44ACH "Heavies" are making their first revenue trip over Colorado's Joint Line as they pull 17,700 tons of Engle Butte Mine coal. These ET44ACH are BNSF's new six-axle Tier IV locomotives. Unlike the previous four traction motor ES44C4 and ET44C4, these motors have six traction motors. Being an extra eight tons heavier (218 tons) than other AC traction locomotives, these "heavies" in theory can pull better than other modern locomotives. As a result, management made this train into a "test train". The test was to see if a the coal train can still pull the hill with the second motor isolated. The power configuration was 1x2. The 1.4% ruling grade of the northern slope of the Palmer Divide proved to be more than what three "heavies" can handle. Nearing the top of the 7,200' summit, the heavy coal train stalled out. Even after putting the second motor online, the train could not start up. This resulted in the train having to back down to Spruce and get a running start at the summit. It was discovered that reason the train may have stalled was due to the locomotives running out of sand.

[@KCTopDawg]

This was very awesome to watch the trains, battling the hills and using all their power to climb them!

[@anb7408]

All those people with their hands/minds on this “test,” and they still couldn’t remember to fill up all the sandboxes on the locomotives! Classic railroad management! 😂

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

WOW fantastic video and scenery. We enjoyed watching and have a wonderul upcoming Tuesday.(Steve)

[@j.m.youngquist419]

Looks like they're doing a pretty good job.

[@armandoperez7967]

I can’t wait to see CPKCs new ET44ACs!

[@j.m.youngquist419]

Fantastic videography

[@buddyrailfan9856]

I saw this same train in temple Texas

[@LoganisTrainBoy1]

Management should have known, if it took four standard AC’s to make the hill it will still take four heavies. On the relatively flat railroad I run an ES/ET44AH is good for another 800 tons compared to a standard AC. If you do the math for this 17767 ton coal train, a standard AC can pull 4441.75 tons (17767/4 units) so theoretically an AH would do 5241.75 tons. Multiply that by 3 = 15,725.25 leaving three heavies 2041.75 tons short of making the hill. When I’ve run manifest trains of relatively the same length and size with CSX AC44’s vs ES/ET44’s; the latter will accelerate the train faster, with less wheel-slip (especially with adverse rail conditions) and might give me another 2-3MPH up the “ hill” but better adhesion doesn’t make up for the loss of another 4400HP and 166,000lbs of tractive effort as is the case here.

[@tcp3059]

"Management knowing better" is a universe-breaking paradox. If they knew how trains worked, they wouldn't have been put in management.

[@TrenesMX]

Wow amazing shots! What camera do you use to record ? It has good color and sharpness !

[@armandoperez7967]

If only these new units could have come with a certain paint scheme and a certain iconic name???

[@j.m.youngquist419]

What does the ES designation stand for?

[@AnontheGOAT]

I think you meant ET which stands for Evolution Series Tier 4.

[@earlmatthewsaguindan1314]

ES = Evolution Series

[@abdoumohamed2798]

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