So according to a Trains article, NS is getting 40 new ES44ACs. It’s interesting because the renderings had nose mounted headlights, which I thought looked really weird, but are these units emissions credit units or something? As far as I was aware, T4 rolled out for these big road diesels in what, 2015?
Yes, it has been indicated that these are credit units. The text suggested that NS scored some credit from the extensive rebuilding of Dash 9 units with lower emission engines as well as AC traction. However, the recent changes to emission requirements announced by the White House might allow further construction of Tier 3 rather than Tier 4 locomotives.
Peter
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Ah. Thanks.