Check to see if the unit is upside down. (Sorry, can never resist the obvious joke.)
* Will probably be a part 2 because I am sure I will find more spotting features.
But seriously, Montana Rail Link bought 4 ex BHP SD70ACe units, 4316 -4319, that were rebuilt by Progress Rail. These units are former iron ore haulers from the Pilbara Region of SW Australia. At a glance they look like the rest of MRL's ACe fleet.
Being very influenced at a young age by Jerry Pinkepank's Diesel Spotters Guide, I am duty bound to look for spotting differences. See this earlier post: http://trainwatchersjournal.blogspot.com/2013/09/to-pinkepank.html
From the two above photos also note the difference upper grills at the corners. Also the grills on the ends of the unit, louvered again on the ex BHP. The rear headlight of the BHP unit lacks the visor that original MRL unit have. I not sure yet about the sand filler hatch, needs more checking.
The big payoff are the set of rear and forward air horns.
As you can see from this view, the rear grills are easy to spot at a distance.
Thanks for the closeups, Vance. I could see the heavy louvers of course, but the ones also below the rear lights, could not and the larger small louver panels, not either. The double horns I was told about a few days ago. The fan shrouds were also replaced with stock height shrouds when they arrived back as they were lowered to clear the loading shoots. Just a note too on the rear side vents on 4300. They seem to have heavier vertical bars in them. Do the other 43's have them too. I haven't got a model of that number to see if Athearn bothered with that detail.
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