Nostalgia & History > North Western Wednesday..... The "Hot Rod" Geep 50's

Following Santa Fe practice in 1980, the Chicago & North Western decided to give four-axle units a try - in the form of E.M.D. GP50's - for use on their Premium Intermodal trains. The images below (to me) convey succinctly the good looks and brutish appearance of these units. I remember seeing them here in Southern California on UP' "Super Van" trains, and wishing I could see them on a more frequent basis.

Thanks to photographers James Claflin and the late Paul Meyers, I can now vicariously re-visit my dream.

Until next time.....

Bob

ATSF100WEST......Out

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Nice ones, Bob!

Oh yes, I remember them well.  Great shots and a fond look back at the good old days!

Watched 243 the midnight Falcon come through Nelson, IL a couple of times with 4 of these GP50's on the point.  They would go by the tower working power at 70 MPH and then the engineer would make a massive brake application for the 45 MPH curves west of town and every piggyback would have fire flying from the wheels as they went by.  The C&NW was quite a show in the late 70's-early 80's as they rose above the Rock and Milwaukee.  BSB



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/16 21:12 by BigSkyBlue.

Nice photos--really pleasing look to them.
Brian Stevens

CNW8531 Wrote:
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> Oh yes, I remember them well.  Great shots and a
> fond look back at the good old days!

Yes, we do remember them well.  When I arrived in Cedar Rapids some 30 years ago, they were the primary
power for all the westbound trains to the UP and eastbound trains off the UP, plus random others.  I can still
remember CNW8531 and others, including myself, saying, geez, it'd be nice if there was something besides
a GP50 on the point.  Ten years later, we'd kill to get one.  

Thanks for posting, Bob.

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA

Great memories, Bob.  One of the classiest schemes worn by the GP50s.

Rich