I have been seeing a lot of new (bare) GE frames, trucks and other large components loaded on Flat Cars, Southbound on the NS now for several months. The last few times I have seen train 117, it always seems to have cuts of GE parts, which are headed for a new GE factory in Texas.
Last week while waiting on the heritage duo, I grabbed a couple of shots of 117 at Junction City KY. Its always interesting to see a full sized locomotive "Kit" !
ES44 frame that will become a new BNSF engine If you really want to see the details, high res image at this link http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/image/148719617 (http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/image/148719617)
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FBellpost13%2FGEframe_NS117_jctcity_020513.sized.jpg&hash=61c8d4592a19f0ca298cdfecd9781137b82aa878)
new GE trucks
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FBellpost13%2FGEtrucks_ns117_jctcity_020513_1.sized.jpg&hash=098c43846b1507cae96948f7193547d6178eb283)
A closeup of one of the new trucks.. These are all for the BSNF, and this truck is not like others you may have seen. GE and BNSF are testing a new design...check out the "big picture" at this link, and see if you can spot the 1 thing that is out of place. http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/image/148719615 (http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/image/148719615)
(https://www.jreb.org/ns/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjreb.org%2Fv-web%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FBellpost13%2FGE_A1Atruck_jctcity_020513.sized.jpg&hash=24151196e645b732224b0f1511b0629c18fed328)
No traction motor center axel, and interesting braking system.
Actually that extra piston that is low on the truck is not for braking, its to change the weight distribution on the two out side axles since the center one is unpowered.
Paul
ES44C4 ! Good catch EM... Guess we can guess what the C4 stands for
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1544625