NS C39-8

[sanvtoman]

I replied to the SD40 post about NS still using high hood units. I dont seem to see any C39-8 units, any of those around anymore?   Thanx

[K&ARailfan]

Yes, I saw one on the Rathole earlier this month. It was behind a New KCS SD70ACE(!), older KCS AC4400CW, and an HLCX (exUP) SD50.

[rrnut282]

I saw two last week going by the house in NE Indiana. 

[sanvtoman]

You guys must be living right i have not seen one. Thanx for the response!

[oskar]

From what I heard, NS retired all of them as soon as 2005 came around. Then 25 or so were re-activated into service and there should be around that many running now. Some got sold to NREX with some still in the US and some given to RR's in other countries.

 

 

 

Kevin

[sanvtoman]

 They are similar to the wide nose units it seems. They must have been trouble prone.

[BTP Productions]

I heard that NS retired their C39-8's. But recently I have seen them in Marion, Ohio twice in the same month. Which came to me as a surprise! Also a while back I saw one in Chesterton, Indiana. I don't know what NS's plan is with them

[zugmann]

Like a bad dream.. they keep coming back. These things are long overdue for the scrapyard...

[trainfan1221]

I I believe they were basically a transition model, so it wouldn't be surprising they are gone or might have had problems.  Basically the model that led up to the -840c.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

NS 8691 is currently working in the Chicago area and I've seen it at Landers from my train over the last day or two.

[ArtOfRuin]

Like a bad dream.. they keep coming back. These things are long overdue for the scrapyard...

I've heard a couple of NS/ex-NS employees complain about them. Maintenence-heavy and drafty were the two most common complaints. One of them even wished they kept their SD9s in service over the Crash 8s.

[oskar]

Some of them are being sent into a deep sleep in storage. That will be insurence for NS just in case they are a bit low on engines. I like the C39-8's, but I haven't heard much good about them and the inside of the cab of them.

 

Here are some being stored in Chattanooga.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=231959&nseq=9

 

 

Kevin

[sanvtoman]

Thanx for the pics Oskar they are very bright and clear.

[BigJim]

Some of them are being sent into a deep sleep in storage. That will be insurence for NS just in case they are a bit low on engines. I like the C39-8's, but I haven't heard much good about them and the inside of the cab of them.

There are fifteen of these junkers sitting in a track in Roanoke. Most look to have major pieces missing. Insurance! HAH!!! They won't be running anywhere anytime in the near future. And I don't miss these pieces of crap one iota!

[oskar]

As for Insurence I did not know about the 15 in Roanoke. The ones in Chattanooga look in pretty good shape(on the outside). I'll be you will be glad when some of the C39-8's are in orange paint being shipped on a boat.

Of course my only source is a friend that has been working for NS for 14 years. He also doesn't like running the C39-8's and would rather prefer those 50 Year Old Beuties that are called SD9's. They were 50, but they could probably run better than 2 C39-8's.

 

 

Kevin 

[BigJim]

Speaking of the Devil, I had C39-8 #8686 on the head end today. BTW, there some more of these sitting down at East End Shops awaiting disposition.

[RailfanRailroader]

It's like some sick twisted person designed that cab.  Remember doing 60 mph in the rain, water was leaking in at every window, around the door and in the electrical cabinet.  Not to mention the wheel slip system liked to reduce power at strange times.  They looked kind of neat though.   

[crpulse]

My understanding was that NS would retired them as they suffered mechanical failures. I saw a couple of them powering trains on my trip to Chicago. I also saw the line at Chattanooga in the picture posted earlier.