Eastern Railroad Discussion > “New” Norfolk Southern 8520

From NS Facebook post.

Introducing the latest in Norfolk Southern's DC to AC conversion technology: AC44C6CF number 8520. Originally built by General Electric in 1996 as Dash 9-40CW number 8946, the unit was recently rebuilt and converted to AC traction at Norfolk Southern's Roanoke Locomotive Shop in Virginia, and painted in a red variation of the "mane" scheme at Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The red color was chosen for the corporate colors of CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles) of Spain, NS's partner in the design of the updated equipment and electronics. 8520 will venture across Norfolk Southern's network in revenue service, testing the new #technology in advance of additional locomotive rebuilds.

From facebook. . . . ..

---

Good shot but sorry, I like the blue A LOT better!

Agreed Blue is better this looks more like an ATSF War Bonnet

Oh yeah... coming soon on a track near you. And watch how many of us will be track side when it does. 

Phil Maton
Villa Rica, GA

txtrainman58 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Good shot but sorry, I like the blue A LOT better!
I agree that the Blue looks so much better and I only wish that they would paint more locomotives in the blue instead of the boaring black.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

I am eager to hear what this thing sounds like... With all GE AC units thus far I am so used to hearing that familiar whine from the traction motors; it's one of the more common sounds in the railroad world these days... Wonder how different it'll sound...

Posted from Android

Being a West Coaster, any change in locomotive colors is welcome. I admire the current locomotives out there but like to see different paint schemes. Graffiti excepted!!  And I'm kinda tired of dirty flags. Just my take on things.

Yikes. Just when you thought they couldn't get any more gaudy ...

Posted from Android

MC6853 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am eager to hear what this thing sounds like...


Should have a different engine sound and exhaust note too due to it having common rail fuel injection now.

Forget what it looks like. What's the details on the "Innerds"? 

Hate to say it but it’s ugly. IMHO

Gary

Posted from iPhone

The red is refreshing.  I especially like that it's slightly different from a typical AC loco in that the invertor cabinet is not there.  Looks like a DC unit with the A/C mounted on the engineer's side.  Very cool, even if it is just another Dash 9 "rebuild"

Sean

I like it too. Almost warbonnet-ish! Am I allowed to say that?

TJY

NIce , fireball paint scheme lol

First thing I noticed is no converter box. Looks like a C44-9W. Interesting paint scheme. Norfolk Santa Fe.......On The Way !

SantaFeRuss

You have to wonder about the logic of this given the commitment to AC44C6M's that NS has made.  Why introduce another technology ?  

Bill Miller
Galt, ON

CCMF Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You have to wonder about the logic of this given
> the commitment to AC44C6M's that NS has made. 
> Why introduce another technology ?  

There's no guarantee they'll do more than the two they've started. I was concerned NS would end up going a cheaper route to accomplish these rebuilds and they've proven me right so far. Starting next year,no more new trucks under the C6M's. They are going to use the existing trucks modified to accept AC motors. The "like new" ride quality of these rebuilds is in jeopardy.  CP went this routed on their CWM's and the crews say they ride like wornout units.

These were developed over the last several years.  The CAF design is cheaper than the GE AC44C6M design since it utilizes the original cab and truck frames.

Chris Toth
NSDash9.com

.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/21/18 08:40 by darkcloud.