Primered Dash 9's

[Anonymous]

What's the story on Norfolk Southern's Dash 9's that are primer only with NS and theunit number stenciled on the cab?

[spekarik]

NS like to put the new units into service as soon as Erie can build them. Then Ns will cycle the engine down to the Chattagnooga shop for painting. It's common for these units to go a few weeks before they can get into the shop. The reason Erie doesn't paint them, is that NS wants them as soon as possible, and that Erie can get backed up with other orders.

[wabash1]

when the railroads were booming the last 2 years before the slow down the ns did not have enough power to run the trains as soon as they get the new units in they would run them. we still have dash 9 units in coal service around here that are not painted these units are 2 years old. and still see some on thru freight in primer.