Really? That is a big surprise to me since NS until now has been all DC on their road units except for the 80MACs that came over in the Conrail deal. Jamie
NS performed adhesion tests recently on older SD70s and borrowed UP SD70Aces and ES44ACs, but I havent heard anything out of the results. I find it hard to believe CSX would let go of brand new ES44ACs... especially since they're DPU and have a CSX specific software package. What I would believe is that NS would short-term lease them for test on NS' own DPU trainsets, though only marginally.
Hard to believe NS would dip their toes in the AC pool with used units unless it is in fact a lease or burning up power hours. They've resisted AC traction for years due IIRC to higher initial cost and maintenance issues among other things, so if they were going to go the ownership route it would seem more likely they'd invest in new units spec'ed to NS standards. Time'll tell...
Could it be that there may be some kind of power swap going on? CSX has done this before with NS. Reason I mention that is that I saw a former NS B40-8 (ex CR unit) on the CSX last week. The unit had all NS markings painted out and had a blue patch with yellow numbers sublettered CSXT on the cab. It was on a local so hopefully, I will be able to get a pic of it soon.
NS did indeed order 24 ES44ACs, to be used for unit reduction on their DPU trainsets. They are similar to CSX ES44ACs in that they are weighted to 432,000pds, and feature the CTE software. They will be ECP equipped.
Will be interesting to see them Conman. I hope to bring you some. Hey I need to be a second engineer on a train before october 31st....Help me out!!!!
Heres a pic of #8000 right out of the paint booth, courtesy of Railpictures.net; http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=250032&nseq=0
Robbman...What districts do you think these are gonna be running in then? Does the Kenova District on the Pokey count as one then???
A few other forums are discussing that these units will start off on unit coal trains routed through Roanoke. If so will be easy to spot them going out of South Yard. Jamie
Since they were bought for unit reduction on the DPU trains, I'd realistically expect to see them on the Georgia Power trains out of Andover, VA (the Appalachia District IIRC) to Knoxville and southward on the Cleveland line , and I definately expect them to be used on the Clover ECP-DPU trains also out of Andover to Bristol to Roanoke.
ED call me and maybe I CAn work that out for you ! WHat do you say now,,,nay sayers???????? Maybe I do know a thing or two...(LOL)
I am betting they will put them where ever they end up on the system. You can never guess where they will be used. I know I will never call you a nay-sayer. We've been out there way to long together!
Other than the SD80macs that came from CR during the takeover, that is the only power that I know of that has not strayed far from home...eventually everything seems to sooner or later. Let us know how these new motors work out down your way as well. Eventually everything ends up in Williamson and from there goes where ever. We have even had NS's SD80macs in Portsmouth a time or two...so who knows what will show up when and where...go figure. Will be interesting to see if NS decides to go with more AC units after a while or not.
We had a few of the 80Mac's through IL. It just depends on where power is needed and if they are wanting to test power on certain lines. I have dealt with the power desk that we have on the NS and it's their call on what goes where. There are a few hill's that I know they are going to test them on but other than that I would imagine them staying in the south in the coal fields or where ever trains need dpu service.
