Looks very awesome!

ok both exist irl
but IF I ever move out my train sims will be run from a real loco cab in the basement

Interesting, A1A-A1A wheel arrangement for the ES44C4. I wonder what the reasoning behind that was. Looks like the BNSF has a TON of them!

Is there much difference in operation between the ES44AC, ES44C4 and ES44DC series?

From what I'm told out here is that those are really meant for the intermodal trains (for efficiency from what I'm gathering) because of how each traction motor is rated per horsepower. Yet, in my eyes it's foolish to purchase these units with that type of truck arrangement because I got to tell you, trying to get started with any train with tonnage (such as a coal load or grain load) those stupid things will skip, hop, and slip all over the place.

Sure, it has the power, but with only 4 traction motors instead of 6 there is WAY too much torque per axel... Which is why the center axel will be adjusted (weight distribution) to allow more weight on said axels to prevent slipping. But, it takes a few seconds for it to react and stay active... This is equally as annoying when you're in heavy dyno, they just suck... Good intentions to build them like this but in the real world on how we use them it's very impractical I see; they're garbage. I would take a ES44AC/DC any day - from what I see, those units have the full 6 axel traction motors which are a dream to have a newish unit with all axels working!!

But other than that, and without getting too technical I see little to no "real" difference between the DC/AC. Unless you get in the cab, then there are slight differences I've noticed with the wrap-around control stand's style. They tend to be a bit taller, and painted darker (don't know why) while the C4's have a lower control stand where the throttle controls are - the braking system area is the same height as the others though. Other than all that garbage sometimes they place the radio in a different place, I tend to like them above where I sit on the visor area rather than blasting in my left ear... LOL

Hope that helps you a little bit! Again, I wasn't being too technical here lol

Oh at the beginning of all the garbage I wrote I'm referring to the ES44C4~

Awesome. Thanks for the explanaintions.

The locomotives I'd seen that had AIA trucks had been mainly doing so for old light rail (ancient 55lb stuff) so that is why I was sorta surprised to see modern 4000+ HP locomotives being equipped with them. I suppose there are still sidings on the BNSF that might have such rail in place, but you'd never run one of these beasts such rail.

Hopefully they've figured out the chatter and slip 'cause the BNSF got a bunch more 'C4' late in 2015, that last one being #8399.

My interest in operation between DC/AC was mainly due to being told they 'load up' differently, but I'd never gotten any real explanation. I mean, I understand electrically why each has their advantages and drawbacks but I'd not understood why they'd be dramatically different to the operator when in motion.

omg i love it you did awesome job on it

Your art never ceases to amaze me, RJ. From the thumbnail, this looked like a photograph. Spectacular work!

Oh shush you're making me blush a little Haha but no really thanks for the comment! I always love to hear what you have to say to be honest. So with saying that I'm very glad to hear you thought such a thing - to me it means I'm getting better!! Or at least that's what the voices keep telling me~ JK!

Improvement with every picture you do! Practice doesn't make perfect, but it certainly hones the skill which you definitely have so keep at it! :3

The detail here is beyond amazing <3

Thank you! It goes without saying that it's such a great feeling to hear that I'm glad you like it!

Have you considered selling your work? I'd love having something of yours done that I could frame with my other railroad photos and paintings.

You know you're not the only one to have mentioned something like that (although I get most people telling me that IRL, such as people on the Railroad I work with..) But to tell you the truth I'm unsure how I'd feel about it. Not that it would be hard to do or that I would have to change anything, but I am my own worst critique.. Idk, I personally think my work is not "good enough" to sell, at least not yet. But then again, perhaps I really should change this way of thinking~

Train simulator. I crashed many trains playing that.