Anyone know what NS plans to do with the rebuilt SD50s it's getting from progressrail? Where will they be used. They're 4000HP units, so I have to think they will be road units. I like their look, but 4 Radiator fans? I assume Dynamics are still up front. I wonder if EMD's ECO program was an option or if they can't fit the 710-16 in the frame? I want to model one.
EMD offers the 710ECO in 8 and 12 cylinder versions... no 16. Wouldn't be a really useful, cost-effective or fuel-efficient option if they did.
I guess, but that doesn't really answer my main question which is what are NS's plans. And I would assume it would have to steam EMD to loose the business practicality not withstanding. It appears that Norfolk Southern might have found it useful. Practicality and cost effectiveness aside.
Will be interesting to see where they might use them and if for straight road service or something else, pusher. I would say that for whatever reason it cost less for NS to get these versus purchasing a totally new EMD power, but then again what do I know, but it all comes down to the all-mighty dollars and cents in the end! I do however know that I for one am GLAD that they are low nose EMD's not those stinking wide-cabs! Hopefully I will have the chance if they make it out and about to run one. Sure looks like a beast, hopefully they will have all of the old SD50s redone this way! I also know that just like the newer 8000's NS got a while back, I handled around 10 of them as a power move going east towards Roanoke, and was told they would never be my way in Portsmouth to only have that disproved as there were a few that made it there and used in local service in/out of Wheelersburg terminal...so never say never that power can not or will not make it across the system somewhere as sooner or later they always do! Dave
Well, unless I happen to be in NS territory next time I'm in Chicago, or they work off HP hours somewhere out west, I'll likely never see them. 4000HP suggests to me that it's road unit. I wonder, UP has been playing around with emissions on it's 60 series units, BNSF has been downrating 45-2s. I wonder if you could fit that in a 45-2 or if UP is waiting to see how it works out? There are 50s kicking around still and some of the 60s are getting pretty long in the tooth too. I wonder, now that the dash 8s and such are starting to be returned to lessor or put in surge fleets, are we going to start seeing GE based rebuilds?
NS hasn't recieved them yet... they'll most likely undergo adhesion testing out of Roanoke to get a class on them first. Lose what business? As noted above, NS doesn't even have them yet... they were 'delivered' to take advantage of a tax credit... they've been at Progress ever since.
UP is getting 5 SD40-2 repowered with 3516Bs from Progress... GE has been floating around a ES23B repower option for four-axles (as well as new builds). For six-axles, you might see a EFI rebuild for the older D8-40C/Cws... that'd be about it.
I'm thinking more along the lines of a 3rd party engine swapout. What I meant by losing the buisness was that if they are 4000HP units that are used in across system service, then they are replacing the purchase of a GEVO or an ACE/M-2. So with EMD not offering an option for a repower at 4000HP, they've lost business. GE has too, but EMD being the number 2... You can't tell me that NS spent the money on these without at least having an idea of what service they'd be used in. According to UP's press release, it looks like they're looking for a ~3000HP unit out of their program.
Funny, Looks to me like 4001 is BLACK and out on the NS on the Illinois Division ! Now if I could only figure out how to add pictures. pictures added
These are some really interesting looking unints. Good to see them starting to come on line. Thanks for the pics.
