What am I looking at here? Saw this tucked in behind a couple Gevos on a freight as it made its way into Green Bay, WI this past weekend.
Modeling the C&NW in northcentral Wisconsin, late summer 1976
It a SW7RM if I am correct
matt56 What am I looking at here? Saw this tucked in behind a couple Gevos on a freight as it made its way into Green Bay, WI this past weekend.
Looks very similar to a US SW10 which were SW something or others rebuilt in UP's shops. http://caper.info/up-1219-up-sw10/
Looks like CN flattened the roof and mounted an air conditioner on it.
Mike
Ex - ICG SW14 with added dynamic brakes.
ICG SW14
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Yes, it is an SW7RM, which was rebuilt around 2007 from a SW14, an IC rebuild. I don't think dynamic brakes were added, only the mechanical fans and radiator from a GP9 in place of the old belt-driven fans. UP's SW10 conversion was somewhat similar.
I've read that they WERE dynamic brakes .... but can't find any verification anywhere ....
There is no real purpose for dynamic brakes on a unit used as a switcher. They are most useful on road freights, particularly if they have to contend with significant downgrades. I understand that grades were not a big concern on the old IC. You will also note that the locomotive is still equipped with switcher trucks.
As others stated, it appears that the radiator section was replaced by the more robust design used by a GP7 or GP9. The (very) few SW1200s that did have dynamic brakes had them immediately ahead of the cab. Look for pictures of the Canadian Forest Products units.
Your source was probably someone, knowing very little, jumping to what seemed to be a plausible explanation. Unfortunately not everything you read is accurate. Sometimes such myths get passed around and are repeated in several places, thus lending a false appearance of confirmation.
John
http://espee.railfan.net/nonindex/sw_photos/1120_sp-sw8-bob_dengler.jpg
As cx500 said, dynamics on switchers were just forward of the cab. If you notice, the SW8 above is set up for light road service as it has SP train indicators just forward of the stack.
Here's a dynamic brake equipped Baldwin. Again, it's forward of the cab.
http://baldwindiesels.railfan.net/medco/medco8-jp-1.jpg
Andre
Here's what RR Picture Archives has about it:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locopicture.aspx?id=86627
My You Tube
I do find it a little strange that CN decided to rebuild them again in 2007, while they started a 567 purge a couple of years later. We'll see how long the SW7RMs last.