What's this? I can't show a picture!!!

Observed at the North Yard-SLC-south throat: something which from a distance looked like the RG heritage unit "EMDX1001 BHPBILLITON Iron Ore" accompanied by EMD test car ET820. Looked brutish and colorful. It was not in a lash-up, was towing several double-stacks. I didn't have time to investigate.

When it came threw GR yesterday it was on a rail train.

I believe BHP is an Aussie railroad. Maybe they are testing an export unit?

UPRR engineer wrote:When it came threw GR yesterday it was on a rail train.

What is "GR"?

Green River Wyoming Dude, unit had a funky camo paint job in green and orange.

BHP is an iron ore mining mining operation in the NW part of Australia. Their mines are located in what is called the Pilbara Region. BHP operates their own RR. The locomotive you saw is part of a 14 unit SD70ACE/lr order from EMD. This model is a low clearance version of the EMD SD70AC. The units will be the first EMD AC's operating in the region. The locomotives are powered by 16-710 engines, traction horsepower is 4300.

Many thanks.

It's in the current issue of Trains Magazine.

Like this?

http://locopage.railpage.org.au/photos/BHP_4301_5.jpg

UPRR engineer wrote:Green River Wyoming Dude, unit had a funky camo paint job in green and orange.

Your a bit west of me on I-80.

Only 1 set of tracks going through town?

Double tracked mainlines, theres four main tracks that run threw town. (The ones closest to the depot in the picture)

Looks like a nice cozy town! I'll take a closer look on Windows Live tomorrow !

Have a good night!

Nelson Bay wrote:BHP is an iron ore mining mining operation in the NW part of Australia. Their mines are located in what is called the Pilbara Region. BHP operates their own RR. The locomotive you saw is part of a 14 unit SD70ACE/lr order from EMD. This model is a low clearance version of the EMD SD70AC. The units will be the first EMD AC's operating in the region. The locomotives are powered by 16-710 engines, traction horsepower is 4300.

actually this unit, EMDX #1001, is from the second order of BHP SD70ACe's for 10 units. The initial 14 unit order was already delivered and in service. The second order differs from the first in that the units are equiped with the Isolated cab, which was previously discontinued from the SD70ACe and SD70M-2 models, this the BHP units will be the first such units equiped. This unit was built ahead of the rest of the units so that it could undergo testing and it has been testing at the AAR test track recently. It is currently on BNSF with the EMD test car.

Bryan Jones
Brooks,KY

Wow, Interesting paint job...... especially for an ore road.

Here's the unit in question with the test car in Illinois of all places.

http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=167939