| BNSF 4780 the second on a double-header coal drag headed north - the entire consist having some sort of panel on the side... open debate among our crew as to what they are (see the rolling stock folder for additional images). Leading guesses: solar panels (really? Thats an interesting idea - completely shut down the generators in the power units, but have the necessary pumps and temperature kept active by passive solar power (okay - in locations other than the Pacific Northwest)) or some sort of environmental quality control - to help prove that rail transport of coal doesnt have a severe impact on air quality (especially compared to the unrealistic alternative of trucking all that coal along unkept highways (speeding the infrastructures demise)) - any actual information would be great! Comment away and set us straight - thanks! (Please note, this and additional images were challenged by darkness, rainfall, and wind.) |