Hi all, heard through the grapevine that CN is getting 50 more SD70M-2's from EMD. Hopefully they will be nicer than the first 25 units. Most likely numbered 8025-8075.
They were built to Nazi Southern's specs. Headlight between the number boards, cheap plastic interior, and as loud as an SD40-2 in the cab. I don't like that you have to go out side to get to the battery knife switch in the electrical panel. Not to mention the "fart-start" air powered starter, if you don't have enough air in the starter resevoir, and no way to charge it up, you are SOL. Compared to the older 5600 SD70I's and 5700/5800 SD75I's they are a real step back. The new GE's really are much better locomotives.
What?? It's one of NS' nick names. Like BeaN SnifF for BNSF or Crash National for CN. I was trying to be a little funny, no need to take it so seriously.
I don't think they're built to NS specs... they should have a different prime mover and a different control stand than NS' SD70M-2s.
Don't hold your breath, scuttlebutt around here is Hunter Harrison has nixed any extra cost options like the angles windshields.
I believe that ES44DC order was placed first, haven't heard anyword if CN taking the option for the 25 additional units on that GE order. Also heard the maintenance shop workers are not to pleased with servicing the SD70M-2s.
i think the marker lights were needed for the DP [just like the 2200-2205 dash 9's] but the es44's are much nicer than the 70m-2's [although i did snag me a brass/bronze reverser handle when we started getting those sd70m-2's]
