Nostalgia & History > Chicago and Northwestern C40-8

In July of 1994, the writing was on the wall for the future of the Chicago and Northwestern. It was pretty clear to the railfan community that our beloved, spunky C&NW was about to be absorbed by the Union Pacific. But returning to 1994, we see a westbound with a trio of new General Electric locomotives passing under the coal tower and splitting the town of DeKalb, Illinois in half. DeKalb is home to Northern Illinois University but the railroad didn't pay much attention to the population density. Traffic signals turned red with an approaching train, crossing gates came down in unison and the CNW tore through town at 50 MPH. It was a sight and sound to behold.

Enjoy

C40-8 #8502 built June 1989, The first order of GE locomotives for the C&NW since the U30C's Also the fist C&NW locomotives to have the C&NW herald on the low nose.

Dave

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Neat photo! Miss the CNW variety on the UP.

Weren't they also the heaviest 6 axle Locomotives built up to that date? I believe they were bought to haul coal from the PRB.
Steve

The K5H horns really enhanced the "sound" part of the experience.

Now CN #2001.

Didn't get a shot of it in CN paint personally, only in patched UP getup during the spring of 2014.

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