Locomotive Shops
Progress Rail/EMD
The first group of the CN SD75IACC Rebuilds are still in various states in Muncie, IN, mainly due to a shortage of needed parts. The seven CN units inside (Former CN SD75i locomotives 5689-5684-5628-5727-5664-5763-5662-5742-5652, are partially torn down, as can be seen in the photo of the cabs such as (CN 5628) at Progress Rail in Muncie, IN, November 2023 Note the added red DPU lights near the Road Number, and a few other modifications. Currently all the cabs are off the units and under frames stripped down. According to our contacts, we likely won't have the first completed CN SD75IACC repower done, until February 2024.
Former CN SD75I 5689 and the new cabs of siblings were shot in Muncie, IN, by Insp02, in mid-November 2023. Note that these modernized cabs still retain their Teardrop Windscreens, which would be a first in the rebuild program. As we went to press in Late-November, there were still seven locomotives inside in gray primer colour, each at various stages of Progress Rail's CN SD75IACC Rebuild Program. However, none are complete.
This earlier photo by Chris Allen taken back in July 2023, shows the same unit (retired CN SD75i 5689), while still at the Progress Rail shop in Muncie, IN, following her tear down, primer and some modifications.
On November 18, 2023, another modified CN SD75I had arrived from Mayfield, KY, (CN 5679) was shot by Overland-Owner Brian Marsh waiting for the local in Muncie west yard, for her delivery to Progress Rail for completion.
The Progress Rail Canadian Pacific Mid-Life Refurbishment program for their the GP20C-ECO's has ended (for now) as no more CP locomotives have been sent to Muncie for work since the last one (CP 2299). CP 2299 departed after Engine-Changeout and overall clean-up on November 03, 2023. As CRO went to press, only two were still left on the property (CP 2230 and CP 2266), which were waiting for locomotive replacement parts to arrive. This photo shows cleaned-up and with a brand-new engine, CP GP20C-ECO 2266 is to be released from Progress Rail in Muncie, IN, once it is complete.
CRO still have no confirmation yet of the supposed new "Ferromex order" for 30-rebuilds from Progress Rail. Our insiders suggest if this gets confirmed, PR may utilize retired former NS SD70M-2's- WHB.
The QUBE GT46C-ACe Gen 1 locomotive order (QUBE nos. 001-004) continues at Progress Rail in Muncie, Indiana. QUBE is an import-export logistics specialist, and the 4,500hp GT46C-ACe Gen 1 locomotives are intended to support an expansion of Qube's interstate service between Melbourne and Sydney, which was launched in November with an initial three trains each way per week. These operate out of the company's automated Moorebank IMEX Terminal in Sydney. These six-axle locomotives are also compliant with US Tier III emissions standards.
The SSR (Southern Shorthaul) GT46C-ACe Locomotive order for Australia is now complete in Muncie Indiana locomotives SSR 103-104.
The Mongolia TTZ SD70ACeLW locomotive order for 16 Regauged SD70-ACe/LW's continues in Muncie, IN. The first and second are built and painted with 14 still underway in the order. (As we went to Press… The locomotive Numbers TTZ 4101 and 4102 were complete and loaded on Flatcars to ship). The Mongolia locomotive model may also be called a "D70ACeLW" - WHB.
The BHP SD70J-BB locomotives are being built in Brazil. (The numbers are unknown).
The FMG SD70J-BB locomotive order is also to be built in Brazil. (The numbers are unknown).
Wabtec - GE
WABTEC in Erie, PA:
There are currently approximately 20+ CSXT locomotives sitting at the Wabtec Plant in Erie, PA, awaiting rebuild: CSX 17, 61, 84, 145, 152, 217, 229, 247, 270, 297, 302, 310, 401, 411, 412,425, 429 447,481, 484, 502, 531, 547, 554, 561, 565, 567, 570, 588, 591, 5102, 5105, 5107 ("Thomas Rice Special"), 5119, and 5122. More of them are apparently enroute too! (Former CSXT 531) now rebuilt as "CSX 7570" is a "CM44AH" with an MCA system and will be a completely new number-series that utilizes parts from 2-different locomotives. We won't learn what they were until they are entered into the company computer.
This photo taken in mid-November in Erie, PA, shows Retired GE units (mostly former BNSF 4800 and BNSF 4900-series locomotives), that arrived at WABTEC in Erie, PA, early in the month. They had all come from their RELCO Shop in Albia, Iowa, (and are believed to be earmarked for the upcoming large Ferromex Order). The Erie plant is still home to international orders even though some are now done at Fort Worth as well. Fort Worth, TX is currently backed up at the moment. At press time, more Ex-BNSF GE units were enroute to the Erie, PA, location.
The odd-looking animal in this shot is R225 #HL001 (The HL is for "Hybrid Locomotive R225 - WHB). It is one of 25 to be built for Metro North, and this one (so far), has only been Pre-testing at the plant.
Former Baffinland ordered GECX ET44AC 7001-7008 have been shipped to (the Wabtec-owned contract shop) RELCO located in Albia, IA. These units are ex-GE ET44AC demonstrators that were then purchased by the chaotic Baffinland Mining operation in Nunavut, Canada. However, Baffinland's Railway vision never got off the ground due to lack of financing, and the units had been sitting stored at Wabtec in Erie, PA, since 2018.
While still not yet confirmed by CPKS officially, two of our CP/Wabtec contacts have stated to us these 8-locomotives have been acquired by CPKC, and had been waybilled to Wabtec-RELCO in Albia, Iowa, for upgrades including making them "Canadian Compliant, and American PTC compliant". (However no official statement on this has been released publicly by Relco or CP, but it is unlikely they were moved there only for "storage", as some on the web had been posting-WHB).
Former Baffinland ET44AC (GECX 7001-7008) were shot in transit on CP by Buddy Burton October 12, 2023, at the Nahant Yard located in Davenport, IA, when these were enroute to RELCO in Albia. IA.
Wabtec Egyptian Railways ES30ACi Mega Lash-up Testing on November 02, 2023, (by Stephen M. Koenig). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B41qcZACyg0
WABTEC in Fort Worth, TX:
WABTEC Newest CN AC44C6M LOCOMOTIVE TRACE:
(As of November 27, 2023)
• CN 3325 (ex-2589) A Inter.Clearing,IL November 22
• CN 3326 (ex-2590) A Duluth,MN 03:36am
• CN 3327 (ex-2581) D Edson,AB 12:01pm
• CN 3328 (ex-2574) A Kennean,Mn 12:40am
• CN 3329 (ex-2587) A Fort St-John,BC November 26
• CN 3330 (ex-2626) A Prince George,BC 03:09am
• CN 3331 (ex-2576) A Prince Rupert,BC November 26
• CN 3332 (ex-2601) D Hearst,ON November 27 at 11:02am
• CN 3333 (ex-2602) D Watrous,SK 11:14am
• CN 3334 (ex-2577) A Inter.Unknown,IL 14:19pm
• CN 3335 (ex-2565) A Jasper,AB 15:57pm
• CN 3336 D Peterson,BC 15:16pm
• CN 3337 A Edson,AB 15:51pm
• CN 3338 D Proctor,MN 16:10pm
• CN 3339 A Stevens Point,WI 03:07am
• CN 3340 A Blair,WI November 26
• CN 3341 D Watrous,SK 11:14am
• CN 3342 D Winnipeg,MB 16:27pm
• CN 3343 A Fulton,KY 16:22pm
• CN 3344 D Boston Bar,BC 14:43pm
• CN 3345 A Montreal,QC 04:30am
• CN 3346 A Prince Rupert,BC November 26
• CN 3347 A Mountain Iron,MN 08:-01am
• CN 3348 D Edson,AB 12:01pm
• CN 3349 A Inter.Memphis.TN November 23.
Most of second-group of Canadian National AC44C6M's 3325-3349 (25 units) Order, have now been delivered. CN 3346 was shot by Patrick Sheppard November 21 in Oshawa, Ontario.
BNSF: (25 units) Since our last report almost all of the BNSF ES44AC units (3282-3306), have already been delivered.
NORFOLK SOUTHERN: (8 units) AC44C6M: 4654, 4655, 4656, 4661, 4664, 4665, 4666 and 4667. Twenty more NS C44-9W units were outside the plant in October, but none were seen in November. Those were the NS 9482, 9483, 9504, 9515, 9535, 9540, 9547, 9550, 9561, 9567, 9572, 9579, 9591, 9596, 9602, 9605, 9607, 9617, 9621 and 9631. As well, delivery has begun on Norfolk Southern AC44C6M's 4649-4688 (40 units), with approximately 10 already of these have already been shipped.
UNION PACIFIC: As of November 4th, 2023, Nine Union Pacific locomotives were inbound at the BNSF-Wabtec interchange, but only two of them were identified: (UP C44-9W's 9774 and 9785). Work still continues on the Union Pacific AC4400CWM Modernization order.
None of the rebuilt UP C44-9W's have been reported yet, although some of these are currently inside the plant.
• (7 units) AC4400CW: 5636, 5790, 5804, 5910, 6029, 6435 and 6452.
• (31 units) C44-9W: 9566, 9571, 9576, 9578, 9581, 9587, 9592,9596, 9600, 9614, 9618, 9624, 9625, 9636, 9639, 9644, 9646, 9647, 9650, 9656, 9657, 9662, 9774, 9785, 9787, 9788, 9790, 9795, 9804, 9817 and 9818.
• (2 units) AC4400CWM: 6436 and 6892. (The 6892 is a former GE AC6000, and may be the last one of these to be upgraded.). Nothing was seen out testing in November.
Roy Hill Railway's new Second-Gen FLXdrive Locomotive:
On November 01, Wabtec unveiled its second-generation FLXdrive battery locomotive, which will be delivered in 2024 to Australian iron ore mining company Roy Hill. The 100% battery-powered, heavy-haul locomotive features an energy capacity of 7 MWh (megawatt hours). The first-generation FLXdrive, with a 2.4 MWh capacity, was piloted on BNSF in 2021 between Barstow and Stockton, Calif. (The unit's pink livery symbolizes Roy Hill's commitment to supporting breast cancer research and patients).
The new FLXdrive is expected to provide a double-digit percentage reduction in fuel costs and emissions per train, (Based on Roy Hill's rail operations and its routing), Wabtec said. Once Wabtec completes the final battery installations and track testing, the locomotive will begin its 10,500-mile journey for delivery to its new home in the Pilbara iron ore region of Western Australia.
Ontario Northland Railway Shop
Edited By James Lalande, Kyle Jodouin, Mike Robin & William H. Baird
The next locomotive in Line for Ontario Northland paint is (former-NS) ONT SD40-2 1740. Kyle Jodouin captured her outside the paint shop in North Bay fully sandblasted on November 8, 2023.
Two weeks later (on November 28th, with freshly fallen snow), Ontario Northland SD40-2 1740 was captured being pushed into the North Bay Shop by the Trackmobile crew.
Here, Kyle shot ONT 2122 which is being activated for service and will be the fourth (of five) Ontario Northland acquired (2nd hand) SD70M's in active service.
Ontario Northland northbound train 113, was shot by Kyle as it was departing the North Bay yard, led by (Ex-PRLX, nee-NS) ONT SD70M 2124, and ONT SD75i's 2102, 2101 trailing on November 25th, 2023.
Lambton Diesel Specialists (LDSX)
Ready to depart Lambton Diesel Services in Sarnia, ON, November 9, 2023… LDSX 6084 looking slick with the new paint and LDS Lettering. This is a one-off paint scheme tried out by the Shop's painting department. LDSX 6084 is an SW900, and was built as Stelco #84, back in 1959.
Siemens Mobility
VIA RAIL SIEMENS SCV-42 Charger Train Sets on the property:
(As of November 17, 2023)
• Set 1 arrived in Montreal,Qc on September 29, 2021 with VIA 2200/2300 (also 2201)
• Set 2 arrived in Montreal,Qc on August 6, 2022 with VIA 2202/2301
• Set 3 arrived in Montreal,Qc onJanuary 30, 2023 with VIA 2203/2302
• Set 4 arrived in Montreal,Qc on April 19, 2023 with VIA 2204/2303
• Set 5 arrived in Montreal,Qc on June 6, 2023 with VIA 2205/2304
• Set 6 arrived in Montreal,Qc on July 10, 2023 with VIA 2206/2305
• Set 7 arrived in Montreal,Qc on August 5, 2023 with VIA 2207/2306
• Set 8 arrived in Montreal,Qc on September 5, 2023 with VIA 2208/2307
• Set 9 arrived in Montreal,Qc on October 7, 2023 with VIA 2209/2308
• Set 10 arrived in Montreal,Qc on November 9, 2023 with only VIA 2309
Siemens Mobility during October 2023 at their Allach factory in Munich, Germany has been known for manufacturing high-performance Vectron locomotives, but a new member has joined the family recently: The Vectrain Cabcar!
What makes it different is it offers the combination of our Vectron locomotive, cab car and passenger coaches, allowing flexible and bi-directional push-pull operation across Europe. This makes rail transport more efficient and attractive for passengers and is a flexible solution for the future of rail transportation that will Transform the Everyday. Together with their customer České dráhy and consortium partner Škoda Group we recently celebrated the first cab car leaving our Allach factory.
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Copyright CRO 2023