GE had built a pair of 44 electric with Lead acid batteries. Like other electrics and or Diesels for that matter, were built primarily around highly explosive plants such as flour mills. I single ember from a steam engine in the wrong spot would be a disaster. I'm not sure about munition plants, I believe they were fine with Diesel electrics.
I had just had a conversation with a gentleman who was telling me about the NS units where low bid was used and parts were cobbled together, not a truly engineered system. Which is critical.
Hopefully BNSF will have better luck.
