CNW locomotive lettering

[oarb00]

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.

[jrbernier]

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[jrbernier]

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

[oarb00]

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