A look inside and out at CSX's new GEVO's....

I am posting for your viewing pleasure some images i took of two beand
new CSX ES44DC (GEVO) locomotives. I had the chance ton have them
assigned to me for their maiden revenue run on Q439-06. We had these
two units, 145 cars, 10,500 tons, and i am impressed with what they
were able to do under heavy load. In any event, here are the images:


First off, an exterior view of a pair of units in Selkirk yard...


http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... ?id=182263

Next, the first of a few view of the cab interior. Notice there is no
desktop controls, a return to the past...


http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... ?id=182254

Next we see the conductors desk. notice the absence of a computer
screen, present in other GE models:


http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... ?id=182251


Here we see a view of the dual computer screens directly in front of
the engineer.(The silver thing on the one screen is my cell phone!):


http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... ?id=182250


Next we have an exterior view of the lead unit on the train, # 5220, at
CP-5:

http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... ?id=182257


And finally, an exterior portrail of trailing unit 5225 taken after
seting cars off at North Bergen yard:

http://rcbsd45.rrpicturearchives.net/sh ... ?id=182261


Thats it for now. hope this gives some insight into these new
locomotives. Enjoy!

RCB

Thank you! Those are very good photos.
--
(Now the question that reveals that I am a railfan and not a rail professional.) Those two computer screens at the engineer's station: would they normally display different things, or is having two of them just a matter of redundancy in case one fails?
--
Now a more general question. GE claims that the GEVO engine is mounted to the frame with enough cushioning that vibration is reduced: sort of an alternative to the "isolated" cab of some EMD units (the crew is still isolated from the engine, but the boundary is in a different place). Did you notice any difference in noise or comfort level vis-à-vis older GE units?
--
--Having become a rail enthusiast when I was living in Pittsburgh in the 1970s, I find blue and yellow appropriate colors for a locomotive. They need a bit more decoration, though-- maybe a Capitol Dome? (Grin!)

Allen Hazen wrote: --Having become a rail enthusiast when I was living in Pittsburgh in the 1970s, I find blue and yellow appropriate colors for a locomotive. They need a bit more decoration, though-- maybe a Capitol Dome? (Grin!)

With possibly a sunburst on the nose?!? I too am reminded of B&O/C&O by the new CSX look. And I like it.

Allen. most recent microprocessor controlled locomotives have dual screens and you are actually correct with both of the comments you made. They can be set up to display two different menus of data, and they also provide redundancy in the event of a screen failure.

very nice pictures. i finally saw my first es44dc yesterday at work... brand new bnsf [i don't care for their new logo myself ] came up to my yard. i actually didn't care about the loco much, but i really wanted to crawl over the engine looking at it. very nice sounding engine at idle. and those power assemblies are big on them... if i would have caught it while it was on the service track, i would have opened up some crankcase covers too and peeked inside the engine, but it was sitting outside on the dispatch tracks so i didn't have the time to inspect it more closely. oh well, soon cn will be getting these too then i can see them in detail..

Just curious about the GEVO acronym. Do you say the letters g-e-v-o or say geevoh?

n2xjk wrote:Just curious about the GEVO acronym. Do you say the letters g-e-v-o or say geevoh?

i just call it evo...

I guess these new beasts are being used for everything and anything. I saw a pair of 'em on a sb trash train on the River Line.

I dont care much for them (BNSF) because they wont sand over 10 mph which is critical for pulling and dynamic braking. And the alarm bell goes off if you use the independent brake over 10 mph. Also our DC ones have tractive effort guages like AC's showing k's instead of AMPS.Making a qualifying trip with another engineer (25+years senority) remarked that ''these units are no fun''. They sure are quiet inside though.

Ive ran quite a few of GE's newest, there alot better. I think they have figured out the how to make an AC that runs ALMOST as smooth as DC. Throttle response has improved, and alot of the bucking and bouncing is gone. It would be nice if GE and EMD would give the UP a deal on the new control stands so they could start ripping out those desk tops.

I like the fact you cant lay sand everywhere..... saves me some when i really need it. Its a cool feeling sliding the wheels when going down hill with the dynamic brakes howling. I worked with this old hog who would do it everytime at the bottom of the hill on the last curve coming into GR. He would get rid of the air when he saw we were going in. As soon as we hit the greaser id get a smile on my face as this old man started to grunt as the wheels slide and then get traction again, hard on the wheels and the track, but it made for a fun ride.