BNSF ES44DC Variances

Not all ES44DC are created equal!

This is a guide to help place the variances in BNSF's ES44DC fleet.  Note, this guide only applies to the DC version, not the AC version.

BNSF's ES44DC model fleet has just about as many changes as their Dash 9 fleet.

  • 7200-7339: New Image paint. "Mid-height" rear head light mounted horizontally, low sand filler, no grabs below sand filler on rear of long hood. Front low nose door has been moved to the engineer's side. No grab irons on last engine compartment door on conductor's side of long hood, however have two grabs for roof top access immediately behind conductor's side of the cab.  Fan box between exhaust & cooling grid is level with roof line, cooling grid is raised.
  • 7395-7504: New Image paint. "Mid-height" rear head light mounted horizontally, low sand filler, no grabs below sand filler on rear of long hood. No grab irons on last engine compartment door on conductor's side of long hood, however have two grabs for roof top access immediately behind conductor's side of the cab.  Fan box between exhaust & cooling grid is level with roof line, cooling grid is raised.
  • 7505-7527: New Image paint. "Low" rear hear light mounted vertically, high sand filler accessed from roof, or a trio of grab irons mounted to the rear of the long hood.  No grab irons on last engine compartment door on conductor's side of long hood, however have two grabs for roof top access immediately behind conductor's side of the cab.  Raised fan box between exhaust & cooling grid.
  • 7528-7604: New Image paint. "High" rear headlight, mounted vertically, low sand filler, no grabs below sand filler on rear of long hood.  No grab irons on last engine compartment door on conductor's side of long hood, however have two grabs for roof top access immediately behind conductor's side of the cab.  Raised fan box between exhaust & cooling grid, cooling grid is raised.
  • 7605-7649, 7701, 7744-7799: New Image paint. "Low" rear hear light mounted vertically, high sand filler accessed from roof, or a trio of grab irons mounted to the rear of the long hood.  Grab irons on last engine compartment door on conductor's side of long hood, and two grabs for roof top access immediately behind conductor's side of the cab.  Fan box between exhaust & cooling grid is level with roof line.
  • 7650-7686, 7688-7694, 7696-7700, 7702-7743: Heritage II paint. "Low" rear hear light mounted vertically, high sand filler accessed from roof, or a trio of grab irons mounted to the rear of the long hood.  Grab irons on last engine compartment door on conductor's side of long hood, and two grabs for roof top access immediately behind conductor's side of the cab.  Fan box between exhaust & cooling grid is level with roof line.
  • 7687: Experimental New Image paint (smaller nose logo). "Low" rear hear light mounted vertically, high sand filler accessed from roof, or a trio of grab irons mounted to the rear of the long hood.  Grab irons on last engine compartment door on conductor's side of long hood, and two grabs for roof top access immediately behind conductor's side of the cab.  Fan box between exhaust & cooling grid is level with roof line.
  • 7695: Experimental New Image paint (yellow logo). "Low" rear hear light mounted vertically, high sand filler accessed from roof, or a trio of grab irons mounted to the rear of the long hood.  Grab irons on last engine compartment door on conductor's side of long hood, and two grabs for roof top access immediately behind conductor's side of the cab.  Fan box between exhaust & cooling grid is level with roof line.

Its important to remember, that like the Dash 9's, certain parts of the paint scheme will vary.  It seems some of the sand filler notches are orange while others are green/black. Note, these units are equipped with electronic bells.

Prototype Photos:
7515 (7505-7527 class):

7553 (7528-7604 class):

7631 (7605-7649, 7701, 7744-7799 class):

7647 (7605-7649, 7701, 7744-7799 class):

7670 (7650-7686, 7688-7694, 7696-7700, 7702-7743 class):

7699 (7650-7686, 7688-7694, 7696-7700, 7702-7743 class):

7717 (7650-7686, 7688-7694, 7696-7700, 7702-7743 class):

7721 (7650-7686, 7688-7694, 7696-7700, 7702-7743 class):

7748 (7605-7649, 7701, 7744-7799 class):

7781 (7605-7649, 7701, 7744-7799 class):

Modeling info for T55 (HO Scale) units:
The T55 models correctly model the High sand filler, low rear head light version, with access ladders on the engine compartment (BNSF 7605-7799). BNSF 7505-7527 can be modeled be removing the engine compartment roof access grabs, and scratch building a box to raise the grid that covers the two small cooling fans.

Plows: There are two plows on these units. I'm not going to give a list of what has what, refer to prototype photos for that.
For HO scale, the older version (and common ATSF/BNSF prototype can be had, Details West PL-235 or PL-255. However, the T55 (Tower 55 previously) BNSF units come with the same style plow, without the MU doors, which is the correct way, where as DW casting will have to be "fixed". As for the other plow, I've not seen a decent version available. I'm using Details West PL-120. I filed the bottom corners to match, and made the MU openings larger. PL-233 or PL-256 could also be used, by squaring off the coupler notch.

Sand Fillers:  Details West SF-241 can be used to correct the rear sand filler to model late versions. HL-117 will also be required for the new headlight, unless you carve a hole for the stock T55 castings.

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