Rumors are circulating that the LS&I will buy 8 AC4400CWs from CEFX later this spring to replace the older GEs. These would come from the 25 that have recently been on lease to the BNSF. It is known that the LS&I has been shopping for newer power. Get your photographs of those older GEs soon.
The rumors I’ve heard all stem from one source, but it’s a pretty good one: a current LS&I employee. The rumor says they’d be coming on line over the winter shutdown, and that the older GEs will be phased out as they start arriving.
But there was a pretty good rumor going a few years ago that the LS&I would get new ES44s directly from GE, and that never panned out, so I guess time will tell. Either way I agree, if you’re interested you should photograph the older GEs ASAP.
Noah
If the rumors are true, this would be the first motive power bought new by LS&I since the U23C’s.
If they turn out to be the AC4400CWs they won’t be new locomotives.