WTF? Why shell out loads of bucks for a completely redesigned Loco? Why not just cut #2 and #5 motor out on a standard ES44AC? Its not like a DC traction motor Locomotive that you lose power and Dynamics when ya cut an axle out. Yes, the program for tractive effort will probably have to be changed, but that could be a selectable parameter on the Locomotive monitor screen. All in one fell swoop, select 4 motor operation on the monitor screen. AC motors are supposed to be so much lighter than thier DC cousins, so I doubt that there would be much difference in Loco weight with idlers or motors in the #2 and #5 position. This isn't being done to gain a switch engine. This is being done to get a high speed pony ta pull intermodal with. Where the 6 axle engines run outta current supplying 6 motors, supplying only 4 give ya plenty of OOOMMPPPFFF ta kick that bitch in the pants ta accelerate. Which again brings the question,, Why couldn't the 6 axle Loco be programmed to switch to 4 motor operation over say ~50 mph? Drag frt goes 50. Anything over is intermodal/autorack.
