I just wanted to let you all know that I saw my first SD70M-2 today. The Engine's number was EMDX74. It was sitting on an old Grain Siding at Wayne City Illinois. I've seen CSX SD70ACE Units before at Howell Yard in Evansville Indiana and on the CSX Main at Effingham Illinois, but I've never seen an SD70M-2 before, so this was a real treat. I hope that the next time I see one maybe it will be in NS paint. If any body else has seen this engine before, please post a reply and any pictures you might have of it.
I have not seen the EMD demos, but I did catch a pair of NS units a few weeks ago... Here are some shots of the Demos: http://64.246.11.82/images/g/gm75.jpg.42080.jpg http://64.246.11.82/images/e/EMDX_76_75_Pool_Point.jpg.60902.jpg http://64.246.11.82/images/c/CSX_F813_EMDX_76c.jpg.42620.jpg Harold
Harold, those are great pictures. The EMD demos look like you have hiked almost as far as Hemiadda to get the shot. You're all out in the woods! Nice ones.
I seen EMDX74 at Wayne City, Il on Friday also. I was happy to see it there. I was with another one of my friends when we stopped to look at a grain hopper that was an old Norfolk & Southern Railway with Southern Painted over Norfolk & Southern Railway and had PLCX lease reporting marks. It also had all three numbers. Right beside the hopper was the SD70M-2. It was a great sight. ICMR Happy Railroading.
I watched EMDX74 go by at work into the roundhouse in Decatur on Christmas eve.I have video of it too.We had lots of foreign power that day.
Steve, While close, it is not an SD70M-2. (It is an SD70M). The two most prominent spotting feature differences are the larger angled radiators and the "clip on" numberboards on the front of the cab (both found on the SD70M-2). Harold
Thanks Harold, I wasn't sure, as it was in that 26xx series. Now I see the differences. I see a fair amount of NS units crossing northern Arizona! Nice pics, BTW.
Thanks, Steve. Yes, the differences are mostly subtle. Also, it does not help that NS did not start a new number series block, as some roads do with new models. In fact, the SD70's start with the 2500 series and include spartan cab SD70's, SD70M's (original, non-flared radiators), SD70M's (flared radiators), and now SD70M-2's. Harold
I caught my first -2 last weekend, 2656. I'd take 2640 anyday of the week. I like the way they look better too. Plus the SD70M has the full size desk which I prefer and I find the M-2 windshield distracting at night you get a lot of outside reflection. I also think they aren't as quiet as the SD70Ms just my 2 cents
Yep, that would be a simplification of it... The SD70ACe is the Tier II compliant AC version of the SD70; the SD70M-2 is the Tier II compliant DC version of the SD70 Harold
