> GE is, of course,
> in the midst of overhauling locomotives for NS and
> could bid on this job assuming they have the
> capacity.

Don't forget - the impending merger/spinoff/purchase means that GE and Wabtec's MPI shop at Boise would be the same company. Rumors already exist that Boise will take over some of the GE work, potentially either some of the CN or NS rebuilds, due to capacity constraints at GE.

If oil prices keep going up, there could be an intermodal and oil boom on top of each other for the railroads, demanding a surge in new locomotive construction.

>Knoxville Locomotive Works, Brookville Equipment, EMD, GE, and Siemans all make Tier 4 locomotives.

True - except all the bugs aren't worked out of Tier 4 yet and all but GE and EMD require DEF. It is possible since Amtrak typically uses contract fueling trucks that just pull along side they might be willing to accept DEF engines. Don't forget to add MPI (Wabtec, soon to include GE) to that list - I just saw some of their dual Cummins engined GO units at their plant. But EMD's Cat powered F125s for Metrolink still aren't allowed to go solo.