Let's discuss locomotive rebuilding, as it is an interesting subject. There are some pretty cool rebuilt locomotive models out there on the rails. I've even seen a few on my own train watching adventures. Part 1: Why rebuild a locomotive?: -New parts or technology availability (roller bearings, newer electrical systems, etc.) -Unreliable locomotives -Aging locomotives -Making locomotives more eco-friendly -Instead of purchasing new locomotives to replace older models, it was often more economical to rebuild them. -Part 2: Rebuilt locomotive examples from both the USA/Canada and the UK: -UK: -BR Class 69: The new BR Class 69s, of which there are currently 16 units in the UK, are former BR Class 56 heavy freight locomotives. The 69s have had their original prime movers replaced with EMD 12-710 Prime Movers (same engines as the BR Class 66s), upgraded electrical and control systems, and new lower-emissions systems. -BR Class 57: BR had a number of older Class 47s rebuilt as Class 57s. The 57s have upgraded systems and are equipped with EMD 645 Prime Movers. They have been nicknamed "Bodysnatchers" or "Zombies" because they have Class 47 body shells with different engines. -USA and Canada: -BN and UP Rebuilt EMD E-Units: The Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy RR (CB&Q) ran commuter trains on their Racetrack between Chicago and Aurora, Ill. In the 1970s-90s, Burlington Northern (BN), working with Morrison-Knudsen (MK) had many of their ex-Burlington E8As and E9As rebuilt with twin EMD 645 engines and upgraded electrical systems. These were designated E8Ams and E9Ams. They served on BN's Racetrack until Metra took over the line. A few are still operational in museums. UP had three of their E9s rebuilt with single non-turbo EMD 16-645 engines (instead of the twin 12-567s) and modernized systems. This trio of E9ms are part of UP's Heritage Fleet. -BN/BNSF EMD GP39E/M/V/GP39-3: EMD's GP30 and GP35 diesel locomotives were fairly reliable and popular with many railroads in the US. Unfortunately, they suffered from electrical problems, which led BN in the 1990s to rebuild many of their GP30 and GP35 locos, which were handed down from GN, NP, and CB&Q in the 1970s. BN had their GP30s and GP35s rebuilt into basically GP39-2s with turbocharged EMD 645 engines and upgraded systems. They were designated GP39Es (rebuilt by EMD), GP39Ms (rebuilt by MK), and GP39Vs (rebuilt by VMV). BNSF RR continues to operate many of these over 60-year-old veterans, and has since rebuilt them as GP39-3s. -BN/BNSF EMD GP28M/P: These are ex-CB&Q and ex-GN EMD GP9s and GP18s rebuilt with non-turbocharged 645 engines. They are basically shorter GP38-2s with the same electrical equipment and engines. Again, MK did some of the rebuilds. BNSF still rosters a few of the ex-BN GP28s. -More BNSF Rebuilds: -GE AC44C4M: 20 rebuilt C44-9Ws with ES44C4 trucks and original BNSF Dash-9 Gull-Wing Cabs, along with AC traction motors (4 instead of 6) and upgraded GE 7FDL-16 engines. -EMD SD60M-3: ex-BN SD60Ms with upgraded, modernized systems -EMD GP25: ex-BN and ex-ATSF EMD GP50s with 2500HP 645 engines and modernized systems -SD45-2B, SD40-2R, and SD32ECO: ATSF RR was the largest operator of EMD's SD45-2s with 90 units. BNSF RR has since rebuilt many of their SD45-2s as SD45-2Us, and a few SD45-2B B-Units. Many of their remaining SD45-2s have been rebuilt again as SD40-2Rs with EMD 16-645s instead of 20-cylinder engines. 3 units have been upgraded with 12-710 engines and modernized systems and are designated SD32ECOs. -More UP Rebuilds: -Wabtec C44ACM: Upgraded UP AC4400CWs, AC6000CWs, and C44-9Ws -EMD SD59MX/SD59M-2/SD32ECO: 28 UP SD60Ms rebuilt with 12-710 engines and upgraded systems -UP Jenks Shops Rebuilds: SD40Ns (SD40-2 rebuilds), GP40Ns (GP40/GP40-2 rebuilds), GP38Ns (GP38-2/AC rebuilds), GP39Ns (GP39-2 rebuilds) and GP15Ns (GP15-1/T/AC rebuilds); new control and electrical systems -Progress Rail GP22T4 Rebuild: 10 former UP GP38-2s with eco-friendly Cummins prime movers -GP62/GP60E: Upgraded EMD GP60s -SD62/SD60E/SD62E: Upgraded EMD SD60 Spartan Cab Units -EMD SW10 "Hammerhead" Switchers: Rebuilt TR5s, SW9s, and SW7s with EMD 12-645 engines and system upgrades -CSX Rebuilds: -EMD SD40-3, GP40-3, and GP38-3: CSX's Dash-3 rebuilds were done at their Huntington Shops. The Dash-3s have upgraded controls and electrical systems, as well as new "Spongebob Cabs." -EMD SD40E3: 13 rebuilt SD40-2s w/ EMD 12-710 engines and system upgrades -Wabtec SD23T4/ET23DCM: CSX calls these SD23T4s; rebuilt SD40-2s with 6-Cylinder Wabtec engines and massive SD70ACe-style radiators; CSX rosters 15 of these units -EMD SD70AC: rebuilt SD70MACs; CSX is not the only railroad to roster these; BNSF and KCS have some too that are designated SD70MACe; original Siemens electrical systems replaced with Mitsubishi systems -CSX GP38H2 and CPKC H20-EL: Hydrogen fuel cell-powered rebuilds; CSX version: formerly a GP40-2; CPKC version: formerly an SD40-2F Cowl Unit; both have cool paint schemes reflecting their rebuilding into hydrogen fuel locos. -AC4400CW Rebuilds: CSX, CPKC, and CN all have AC4400CW rebuilds; CSX: CM44AC/AH; CPKC: AC4400CWM; CN: AC44C6M; CN units are formerly C44-9Ws -CPKC Rebuilds: -GP20C-ECO: 130 ex-CP GP9s rebuilt with 8-710 engines and GP60-styling on the radiators and dynamic brake blisters -SD30C-ECO: 50 former CP SD40-2s; same upgrades as CSX's SD40E3s -CN Rebuilds: -EMD SD75IACC: 50 of CN's SD75Is have been rebuilt with AC traction motors and other systems upgrades -NS Rebuilds: -EMD SD70ACC: Formerly SD70 Spartan Cab locomotives; 52 units rebuilt with system upgrades and AC traction motors; NS has a couple of yellow/gray SD70ACCs -EMD SD70ACU: 100 ex-UP SD90-43MACs with Mitsubishi electrical upgrades; CPKC also rebuilt their SD90s as SD70ACUs, with their own units and a few purchased from UP; CPKC has a few of their SD70ACUs painted in heritage passenger liveries and Canadian military liveries -Wabtec/NS AC44C6M: Formerly NS GE C40-9 "Top Hats," C40-9Ws, and C44-9Ws rebuilt with AC traction motors and system upgrades; basically AC4400CWs; NS has a number of special liveries on these units too -Wabtec SD70ICC: Formerly SD70M-2s rebuilt with AC traction motors; ongoing project for NS -EMD SD60E: Formerly EMD SD60s with new "Crescent Cabs" and systems upgrades; also, NS has special liveries for three of these locos; 160 units rebuilt -EMD SD40E: Formerly unreliable EMD SD50s rebuilt as upgraded SD40-2s; CSX also has a number of rebuilt SD50s, designated SD50-2 or SD50-3. -Admiral Cabs: Cabs designed by a former US Navy Admiral working for NS; cab has forward-slanting windows like a Navy ship, hence the name; NS has equipped many rebuilt SD40-2s, GP38-2s, GP40-2s, and other rebuilds with these cabs and new noses with increased crash protection -ECO Units: NS has a number of rebuilt SD40-2s (SD33ECO), GP40-2 (GP22ECO, GP34ECO) GP50s (GP38-3; GP33ECO), GP59s (GP59E/GP59ECO), and others that they have rebuilt with upgraded engines and other systems; many of these ECO rebuilds have unique paint schemes that signify their upgraded status; some of these units have flared radiators too
I would much rather DTG or more likely the 3P’s, work on filling the gaps. A Class 57 is simply a 47 re-engined with a GM prime mover and will be totally boring to drive, compared to the original Sulzer sound. I could see a case for remastering some of the traction in game, particularly sounds - the Class 33 and Class 40 being cases in point - but rebuilding existing stuff is about as likely to prise open my Steam Wallet as the ubiquitous livery packs.
