Word is NS has bought 3 ex-Canadian National F7s. I would assume they would be for business train service such as the current Fs. Time will tell.
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There's some talk about these units being restore for diesel support for Southern 4501 when she take part of the New NS Steam program.
Now that is interesting.
Here's one.
Originally Posted by mackb4:
Here is one of them.
WOW! Look's like a job for "American Restorations."
Awww just needs a good wash an' a buff....
Originally Posted by mackb4:
Here's one.
What is that thing where the cooling fans would be?
Dominic, it looks like she was set up for snow plowing duties. Here is a pic of her from earlier times....
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Whoa, that 9164 is a fixer-upper.
Thanks for posting the photo from better times, Chris. If I remember correctly, CN overhauled a few F7's for use on the Prince Rupert passenger train. FP9's held down the GMD share of the main line trains, but these F7's wandered out to lonely ol' Prince Rupert.
Update form Altoona Works Facebook page
F-Unit Update...
The three units coming from NRE were reported incorrectly. They're now confirmed to be two F7As and an F7B.
First up is former C&NW F7A 407, that's been relettered as SOU 407.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.n...ture.aspx?id=1437152
Second is former CP Rail F7B 1019, it has been relettered as SOU 1019.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.n...cture.aspx?id=148076
Finally, there's former CN F7A 9177, it has been relettered as SOU 9177.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.n...ture.aspx?id=1153073
Now I'm wondering if these units will be painted in Green with the White band and Yellow lettering and numbering.
SOU only being used to move to Altoona, than Major Rebuil and renumber to NS numbers to go along with the other NS F Units according to web
Hmmm wonder what they will be for...?
Originally Posted by Dominic Mazoch:
Originally Posted by mackb4:
Here's one.
What is that thing where the cooling fans would be?
Originally Posted by CWEX:
Dominic, it looks like she was set up for snow plowing duties ...
Hmmm, that box structure on the roof was to keep flying snow out of the radiator fans? And maybe also recirculate warm air into the carbody? Presuming the box may have had panels with grills, not shown in photo.
I remember seeing CN&W SD40-2's with one radiator fan wired backwards and a radiator access panel left out, to blow warm air into the carbody during winter operation. Some F-units had special winterization hatches over a radiator fan outlet for the same purpose.
Originally Posted by CWEX:
Hmmm wonder what they will be for...?
Who cares! It's great that they get to live another day.
Originally Posted by Dave Allen:
Who cares! It's great that they get to live another day.
BINGO!
Simon
I agree, it's just curiosity....lets remain calm....
They will use the new F units for the same use as the 4 they have now
Originally Posted by Simon Winter:
Originally Posted by Dave Allen:
Who cares! It's great that they get to live another day.
BINGO!
Simon
So... if someone knew and could say there'd be no interest?
It's not like someone said, "More F's? Why not E units!" ; )
I kindly wonder, too. I guess it's just you and me, Dave.
/Mitch
Originally Posted by Mike Slater:
They will use the new F units for the same use as the 4 they have now
Thanks Mike.
Originally Posted by CWEX:
Awww just needs a good wash an' a buff....
And a whole lot of bondo?
When I first heard, I would've thought they would've have used them for the 21st Century Steam program as to not tie up regular freight units that need to be pulling freight and not passenger excursions.
CofG
"The Right Way"
I imagine any progress reports will be found here in the future, really a ton of great information here.
Railfan rumor around Chicago is that CN 9177 at NRE Dixmoor is getting some kind of wheel and brake work done, but nothing else, before it gets sent out to NS. It has been sitting here boarded up for yeeeears, so who knows what it may need to roll on a main line again.
The B unit is reported to be at the ex-Rock Island shop in Silvis, IL, and that too is getting ready to get ready to go.
The other A (in EL-like paint) is at the former PNC shop in Mount Vernon, IL, but I heard it was sent there from maybe Texas not that long ago, so I don't know if it needs any kind of prep work or not.
I know a few northern Illinois folks who are keeping a looking out at the three shops for any movements.
Sam
I'll also add, if anyone here is also a member of the Yahoo Illinirail group, it was a member there who either worked at NRE Dixmoor, knew somebody, or talked to somebody who did work there. It was from that group where I read that the CN 9177 was getting wheel and brake work done only. No paint or other work done. So it sounded like NS wants the bare minimum done to get this trio on NS rails, then sent to their own shop for all real work. I'd imagine the "SOU" reporting marks will be a temporary patch for the trip east.
Sam
Yes the SOU was added for the movement eastward.
Nice find, it will be good to see them once restoration/upgrades are completed.
Nice pics...sure gonna need a bunch of love but she will look great when they are done.
I just read that CSX picked up the 9177 today, so its on it way across town to NS. The CP B unit just came to the Chicago area a few days ago. Depending on how quickly it reached NS rails and how fast NS wants to send them east, I wonder if they're gathering at least this A-B pair for the trip together?
Sam
B unit move on IAIS
