CN ES44's lose the teardrop windshields....

[THayman]

This saddenned me deeply when I found it, that the later part of CN's most recent order of ES44DC locomotives no longer have the trademark CN "teardrop" windshields (of course by trademark, I mean "on a GE locomotive", specifically the Dash 9's and ES44's)

From what I understand, it was a move to cut window replacement costs, since originally the teardrop shields were used so that they had the same windhsields as the SD70I and SD75I locos, and now they are being reverted to standard so they match the SD70M-2 shields.

Here is my one question....does anyone know specifically which ES44's first featured the standard GE cab, with the standard windshield? (and I don't mean standard cab as opposed to Safety cab, I mean GE's current stabdard).

I read one source that said #2270-2309 would have them, but I've seen photos of 2270 and as high as 2280 still with the teardrops.

[nsscot]

from what i gather the first one is 2290  i have seen 2288 with the pork chop window since 2291 has a new window in the process of elimination  thats how i think it is,,how ever i could be wrong

 

Don 

[THayman]

Thanks Don.

That's what I was starting to figure....the highest I saw still with the teardrop was 2287, and I also saw 2291 with the standard one, so I was thinking 2290 was probably the first.

[THayman]

...and, through another photo search, I just confirmed it.

[AlcoRS11Nut]

Interesting....I didn't know that was the reason for the teardrops. I thought it was for better vision.

[silicon212]

You know, it's kinda odd that while CN was ordering GE locomotives with EMD compatible windscreens, that EMD revised its cab so that its windscreens were compatible with GE (the ACe and M-2 along with Ph. II SD90s).  Go figure.

[Boomer Red]

I remember hearing a while ago that these units were tacked on to the end of an order being built for  Norfolk Southern. Therefore they were built to basically the same specifications as the NS units, which would explain the change in window style. To bad they don't order some new Draper Tapers!

[M636C]

I remember hearing a while ago that these units were tacked on to the end of an order being built for  Norfolk Southern. Therefore they were built to basically the same specifications as the NS units, which would explain the change in window style. To bad they don't order some new Draper Tapers!

I have never seen any photo of any other US domestic unit with the teardrop window apart from the CN units. The other user was Hamersley Iron in Western Australia. There the computer screens were rearranged to allow view through the low window corner with a dramatic improvement in visibility. There were no EMD locomotives with this type of window in Australia. Later Dash 9 locomotives for Pilbara Iron (successor to HI) and Fortescue Metals also have the teardrop windows, as do the Rio Tinto (HI again) ES44DCi units and the (somewhat older) BHPB AC6000s.

M636C

[THayman]

BC Rail was the only other North American road I am aware of that had the teardrops

[wctransfer]

Im with ya Tim. I dont like new units, but ofcourse the one style of the GEVO I dont mind is the first one to be changed.....

Alec

[Lord Atmo]

CN GEVOs are among some of my favorite GEVOs out there. I'm hoping I'll see some out in Chippewa Falls one of these days. But moreso one of their SD40-2s. not any of the Ws though. maybe an IC unit in CN paint or otherwise.

 

But back on topic *ahem*. I wonder if CN stopped this when EMd stopped using teardrops on their power and CN may have thought it just wasnt needed.