For those who have been wanting to see a photo of the recently outshopped NS GP38-2 rebuild No. 5501, I was browsing the following website and came across the photo below. This is the first of 80 planned rebuilds from former N&W and Southern Railway high hood GP38's and GP38AC's. Chris Toth http://www.trainweb.org/conrail/ns/locos.htm [This message has been edited by NSDASH9 (edited 22 November 2000).]
Wow....they did a nice job chopping the nose, it looks like any standard EMD short hood. Wouldn't be able to tell it was a rebuild aside from the A/C and funky antenna placement! Any word as to whether or not NS has plans to rebuild or chop the noses on any other models, like the former Southern and N&W SD40/40-2's? Paul #3 ------------------ Have A Nice Day! [This message has been edited by Mankind (edited 22 November 2000).]
What is that on top of the cab? An air conditioner? WHOA... someone's going soft!! All kidding aside, what are the rebuild parameters... rebuilt trucks, Dash 2 electricals, A/C, etc.? Chessie ------------------ Harold Hodnett Fan of NS, CSX, and their predecessors! Coming soon: The North Carolina Railfan Web Site http://www.trainweb.org/ncrail/
The word is that NS is going to do 80 of these rebuilds from former N&W and SOU GP38 and GP38AC units. I have also heard there has been some long range talk of 400 rebuilds, but no word on exactly what type of units those would be. I suspect that 4-axles will be the priority for rebuilding given all of the newer six-axle power that is on the roster. Let me comment on what was done during the rebuild process. The 5501 was rebuilt from NS (N&W) GP38AC No. 4108. The most noticeable item is the chopped short hood. At the same time, the cab interior was completely reworked. That included elimination of the dual control stands in favor of a single AAR control stand with short hood designated as front (the N&W units had dual stands and the long hood designated as front). The cab also received new insulation and sound reduction materials. The unit was completely rewired, extended range dynamic braking, electric cab heaters and air conditioning was installed. The AR10 traction alternator was rebuilt. The trucks were rebuilt with single clasp high friction composition brake shoes. A flush type chemical retention toilet was also installed. All of the work on this unit was done at the Thoroughbred Mechanical Services shops (former Conrail Juniata Locomotive Shops) in Altoona, PA. Chris Toth
Chris, Thanks for the rebuild details! I have lots of pictures I took of high nose GP38's when they were still in their Southern livery. Maybe the high nose loco is becoming an "endangered species: Chessie ------------------ Harold Hodnett Fan of NS, CSX, and their predecessors! Coming soon: The North Carolina Railfan Web Site http://www.trainweb.org/ncrail/
