From the KCS website: October 18, 2005 KCS to renumber international locomotive fleet KCS has recently begun the process of renumbering its international locomotive fleet in a sequence related to horsepower, age and special capabilities. KCS' U.S. and Mexican operations currently manage a fleet of more than 900 locomotives, including seven different switching models, three medium horsepower local models and soon to be 10 over the road models, ranging in age from 45-years old to brand new. In addition to being more descriptive, the new numbering scheme allows for future growth, improves consistency and ease of fleet management and prevents numbering conflicts between the U.S. and Mexican fleets. Nearly every locomotive will receive a new international number. The renumbering process began with the SD45's which will be changed from the 4500 series, making way for the TFM's AC4400's. Next to be renumbered are the smaller GP38's, which will be given new numbers in the 1900 and 2000's to make way for the new SD70ACe locomotives, which will be delivered with their new 4000 number series within the next few months. It is anticipated that the renumbering process will take about six months.
This will keep all of their fans busy! They'll need to re-photo document the entire fleet! Boxcab E50
And here I was, comfortable with 600-series SD40s and SD40-2s, 700-series SD50s and SD60s, and 4000-series GP38-2s.......sigh.......looks like I'm due a trip to Heavener pretty soon.
