A couple photos I made earlier today near my home of two old freight locomotives with 74 years rail time between them, NS3203 & NS3463.
So … model, manufacturer, DOB?
According to RR Pictures Archives:
NS 3463, EMD SD40-2, Built 10/78 as BN # 7083
According to Rail Pictures.net :
NS 3203 EMD SD40-2, Built 12/72 as Southern# 3203T, site has picture of 3203 with a High short hood Leading a pair of Wide-Cabs.
Is 3203 still configured as a High short Hood, or has she had a Nose-Job?
Edit, found a picture on RR Pictures Archives.net, dated 10/8/12 (photo date, not upload date) Still has a High Short hood as of 10/8/12
Doug
Yes Doug, High Short Hood; took this picture of 3203 November 1st…
Frank
Born in '65, growing up in the Portland, OR area I didn’t get to see many High short hoods, they were pretty rare around here. It is kind of neat to see that some are still earning their keep. Don’t know how the working rails feel about 'em, but still neat from a railfan’s point of view any way.
With her 40th Birthday a month away, she is showing her middle age a bit.
Doug
I’ve run a high-hood GP9. It’s not bad, but there is still a bit of a blind spot you obviously don’t get with a low-nose short hood.
Our GP9 is set up for long hood forward. That is a challenge, and a staffing issue if you’re running a short crew on our passenger trains. You need someone as “eyes” for the blind side, but you also need someone on the train…
Of course, as we can’t turn our locomotives, even with a low nose, half of every round trip is run long hood forward.
Lots of room in the terlet compartment.
See also these pages on Chris Toth’s excellent [bow] website on NS diesel power (scroll down to the bottom for the general info on each class/ series):
On the 3463 - http://www.nsdash9.com/rosters/3448.html
On the 3203 - http://www.nsdash9.com/rosters/3201.html
NS roster generally: http://www.nsdash9.com/roster.html
Thanks for sharing those photos !
- Paul North.