So, I'm usually out of the loop on KCS news, but I just read that they were the first to order EMD ECO repower units and that, as of November when the article I read was written, they were supposed to be all delivered by march 09. Anyone seen these units. There were supposed to be both 4 and 6 axle units along with some new slugs.
I hadn't heard this, either. Then I see that people were talking about it in December, but I haven't seen any pictures yet.
Nothing here. I hear they have a pair of the GenSet switchers about 80 miles east of here in Beaumont, Texas. I'll keep my eyes open. The past 2-3 years has seen a flood of KCS trains thru Houston and after the Macaroni line is open in a few weeks I expect there will be even more KCS trains.
Courtesy of the KCSNotes group at Yahoo!, this bit of news plus links to photos: In the paint shop for a first look. <http://www.railpict ures.net/ viewphoto. php?id=280998& nseq=7> The first ever environmentally friendly locomotive is nearing completion at MEI.It is seen here inside the paint booth having finishing touches done.This was rebuilt from an SD-40-2 core.Photo taken with permission. <http://www.railpict ures.net/ viewphoto. php?id=281000& nseq=5> This is one of the two first ever environmentally friendly locomotives for the KCS. It is nearing final assembly before being released.This was rebuilt from an SD-40-2 core.Photo taken with permission. Photos By: Mike Mautner
Here she is courtesy Railpictures. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=281223 Looks sharp in the Southern belle with the globe.
From the KCSNotes group on Yahoo, this bit of info: From Railway Age: Kansas City Southern Tuesday said it had accepted two 710ECOT Repower locomotives from LaGrange, Ill.-based Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc., the first of 27 being delivered by EMD. EMD said the order would allow the Class I railroad "to convert a group of tired GP40 and SD40 locomotives into EMD GP22ECO and SD22ECO repower units as well as GP22ECO-M mother/slug combinations- -providing the ultimate operating flexibility for the locomotives, which will be deployed in both the Kansas City Southern Railway Co. (KCSR) and Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) systems." KCS said 11 locomotives will be deployed in the U.S., while 16 would operate in Mexico. The supplier says the 710ECOTM Repower locomotives "minimize fuel consumption while maintaining emissions compliance. In addition, the reduction of emissions makes the locomotives eligible for both state and federal funding as clean air projects-meeting all relevant criteria with a cost effective solution," EMD said.
Now see, I go and complain in the Class 2 forum about nobody caring about the KCS ECOs and I get egg on my face.
You're not being blocked. They've removed the picture, as it states. Perhaps the KCS PR department has feelings about this subject. Just guessing...
Try this photo of the first two for KCSM. A least as of right now the picture is up. http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1652040 Not sure I'm all that fond of the green world image on the back end, but I suppose they need to get some publicity mileage out of something like this. Regards Ed .
I agree, overall it's a lovely scheme, but the green decal, or whatever it is, is a horrible color mis-match. Ed, you're probably correct about getting advertising mileage out of it. The color mis-match is so grating that the viewer is forced to focus on the image, thus receiving its message. I guess this is why I never would have made it advertising. :tb-hissyfit:
Some pictures are getting around: TrainOrderPix - Other Areas KCS SD22ECOs part 2 All SD22ECO's on this site
Now see, I like the big world. I don't think it "Clashes" all that much. I mean, Green Trees and Blue water to me never clashes with anything. Plus it stands out, but over the course of posting on this board, I've learned that few if any agree with what I like in a paint job. (I dislike most early diesel era paintjobs)
YoHo, by "clash" I meant that the blue and green colors of the earth decal clashed with the orange, red, and black colors of the main body. No way was I implying that the message of the Green Earth was clashing with anything!
No, I understand what you meant, I just think it's hard for that image to clash truely with much of anything. I mean, the paintscheme is almost always going to be seen in the context of the trees around it and the rivers it crosses right? The paint is similar in terms of palet to BNSF right and BNSF looks great going through Montana, the Pacific Northwest, along the columbia river and puget sound. If orange and Yellow and black look bad mixed with Green and Blue, then why would anyone take a picture of a BNSF train along the sound? Understand me? Personally, I like the boldness of it. Plus, I think that sceme generally looks better on Spartan Cab units.
