I’m looking for information on the following 2 engines CN GP38-2 #4701 and CN #1203. I have seen pictures of both on railpictures.net and would like to know where did #4701s new cab come from was it salvaged from another locomotive? Also what is the story behind #1203 it looks like it might have been a UP SW10 previously but I’m not sure? If it was a UP unit at one time how and when did CN acquire it, the caption says something like “newly acquired”.
CN 1202 and 1203 were former IC SW14 1419 and 1499, upgraded by RELCO to 1500 hp, air conditioning and remote control equipment.
According to another picture on railpictures.net of the 4701 the cab was crushed when it hit a truck near Green Bay, WI. The cab was rebuilt, so thats why the new paint. Same old motor just a rebuilt cab.
That’s also why the headlight is between the numberboards where the bell used to be, unlike the other CN 4700’s which have the bell between the numberboards and the headlight on the nose.
I thought maybe the reason the cab looked differant is that it was donated by another locomotive, maybe from one of these unfortunate WC units that have been disappearing lately. Many times this is the easiest fix, just buy a cab and nose from LTE or NRE and weld it on. If you look at pictures of either companies facilities there littered with donor parts like this. As for the other unit I found out that it is a former IC SW14 that was rebuilt by Relco with new electric cooling fans and other modifications, the end result should appeal to any UP fan.