NS trades 12 SD40-2's to CSX for 12 SD80MAC's

Trains Magazine Locomotives
1

NS and CSX have finally agreed to a trade in which NS will acquire CSX’s 12 remaining SD80MAC locomotives. For the SD80’s, NS has traded 12 SD40-2’s, which includes: NS 3425, 3426, 3427, 3430, 3432, 3433, 3438, 3439, 3440, 3443, 3446, and 3447. The 12 SD40-2’s have been officially retired by NS and interchanged to CSX at Chattanooga, TN. It is expected the SD80MAC’s will be arriving from CSX soon. They will be numbered in the NS 7217-7228 series: http://www.nsdash9.com/rosters/7200.html

Chris Toth
NSDash9.com
Also visit my NSDash9 facebook page for the latest NS power updates.

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Anyone else relish the irony that one of the SD40-2s being retained is the 3445; the only former B&O/CNJ SD40 left? If they can paint a Southern SD40 back into the tuxedo scheme then how about bringing back a ‘red barron?’

3

I can’t understand why CSX would part with SD80MACs in a trade for SD40-2s.

The disadvantages of a small group of modern (well relatively so) high power units wouldn’t seem to outweigh the advantages.

But owning all of them would seem to be an advantage…

M636C

4

The SD80MAC is a bit of an oddball since it has a V-20 710 engine. Needless to say, parts supply for such a small number of locomotives can be an issue.

5

This reunites all 29 remaining Conrail SD80MACs. They are very similar to the 100 ex-UP SD9043MACs NS just aquired - same electrically, same trucks, same cooling system, same trucks, etc. The cabs and cab equipment are nearly identical to the fair-sized fleet of ex-CR SD60Ms and SD60Is. So there really isn’t much odd-ball equipment to have to deal with. The turbo is the only one of consequence I can think of. Might cause a extra day of shop dwell getting the spare from where it is to where it needs to be…

6

I have the same thoughts about NS parting with SD40-2s for more 80macs.

7

12 shop queens for 12 of the best locomotives EMD ever buit. What is hard to understand?

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Granted, many of the 40-2s are really starting to show their age - but this is a lateral move, at best.

9

There are a fair number of 20-710 engines installed on workboats;mainly tugs and offshore energy support vessels, so parts are available and Electromotive (Progress) still supports the engine. IINM, the power assemblies are the same as for the 16-710 but I’m sure there are other unique parts.

I’m sure having a small oddball fleet can be a pain for the mechanical dept…

10

They are not REALLY SD40-2s. They are SD40s with some Dash 2 electricals. They don’t have HTC trucks. They are on the SD40 “short” frame".

You need three or four of then to haul the same road train as two SD80MACs.

You can use SD80MACs on coal branches with curves that would derail SD40-2s.

They’ll burn 20% more fuel to move the same tonnage over the same route.

NS’s SD80MACs have been pretty reliable. Juniata and Conway are quite familiar with keeping them going.

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They really aren’t oddball in any meaningful way on NS.

12

20% fuel efficiency benefit, radial trucks that can tread where only four axles can go plus the ability to haul 50% more tonnage each ain’t nothin’.

The only question is can NS whip them back into shape? Probably.