CNW locomotive lettering

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

I recently finished custom painting an N scale Atlas GP38-2 for CNW. I am wondering what the significance of the three A’s under the cab means. I thought maybe it would denote axle arrangement or maybe type of servace but I see a single A on GP15-1’s and 2 A’s on my GP35, and 3 A’s on SDxx’s. Any Ideas?

Modeling the BN and CNW in N scale in the late 1970’s midwest.

2

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3

Oarb00,

These are based on axle loading:

C Under 50,000 lbs

B Under 55,000 lbs

A Under 61,500 lbs

AA Under 64,500 lbs

AAA Over 64,500 lbs

For example, an Alco S-4 switcher is a ‘A’. A GP7 is an ‘AA’, and an SD45 is a ‘AAA’ class engine.

Jim

4

Thank you for the information, I would not have figured that!!!