| A pair of interesting diesels are on BNSF Railways H-GALKCK2-19A (Galesburg IL to Kansas City KS) - Brand-new ES44C4 6642 is on the point, and also new 3GS21C 1305 heading west to, eventually, California. General Electrics ES44C4s are, at this date, unique to the BNSF and feature four, rather than six, traction motors. The center axle of each truck is unpowered, so these locomotives have an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement (just like an E-unit). But, unlike E-units, these feature a variable traction control system in their computer systems and, with the center axle capable of being raised off the rail slightly to maintain sufficient adhesion by varying the weight on the drive axles. Switch engine 1305, built by National Railway Equipment (of Mount Vernon, IL), is a low-emissions diesel road switcher locomotive that has low-emissions to keep air clean in southern California. It is powered by three Cummins QSK19C I6 engines with each one developing 700 horsepower and creating a total power output of 2,100 horsepower. |