GE Dash 9s being called "Catfish". Why?

[Anonymous]

This may seem like a silly question, but I've noticed a lot of people referring to Dash 9s as "Catfish". They seem to always be talking about NS units when they call them that. So where did this Catfish reference come from? [%-)]

[Anonymous]

No idea. Presume it's a derogatory reference. Why do you suppose it's heard on the Norfolk more than on other lines; do they use more Dash Nine's? [:-^]

[dehusman]

The nose herald looks like whiskers?

Dave H.

[Anonymous]

I think Dave might be onto something with the whiskers - over here we had a whole series of railcars painted with what were known as "Speed Whiskers" in the 1950s and 1960s, these were a pair of curved white stripes applied to the cab ends on the units - photo here of a preserved example: http://www.railcar.co.uk/pics/Preserved/120-129/127/51618.htm

[Pennsy58]

As I understand it thats what the NS crews call it. Similar to the sharknose reference to the old diesel. With NS paint scheme thats what it kinda looks like a fat catfish.

[SSW9389]

Tha's 'zackly right Dave. Out here in Kentucky when railfans catch a mess of Catfish it means they were all Dash 9 GEs. Serious boredom, they are all so much the same[:(].

QUOTE: Originally posted by dehusman

The nose herald looks like whiskers?

Dave H.