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NW SD50S

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NW SD50S
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 4:07 PM
I know the the six NW SD50S were considered pre-production units. I have read that they were supposedly built on SD40-2 frames and were thus slightly shorter thatn the production SD50. However after looking at photos of both I can't see any noticeable difference. Does anyone know if there are any visual differences between the S and the standard SD50?
  • Member since
    July 2006
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Posted by NSDash9 on Thursday, June 14, 2007 12:47 PM

Yes, the NW/NS EMD SD50S locomotives were built on the same length frame as the SD38-2, SD40-2, SD45-2 and KCS SD40X models.  On the SD50S, the engine compartment is 24" shorter at the rear, having one less door per side than a production SD50.  The radiator compartment is the same length on both models, but the hood door/latch arrangement under the radiator grilles also differs.


Chris Toth

NSDash9.com
http://www.nsdash9.com

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 16, 2007 3:41 PM
 NSDash9 wrote:

Yes, the NW/NS EMD SD50S locomotives were built on the same length frame as the SD38-2, SD40-2, SD45-2 and KCS SD40X models.  On the SD50S, the engine compartment is 24" shorter at the rear, having one less door per side than a production SD50.  The radiator compartment is the same length on both models, but the hood door/latch arrangement under the radiator grilles also differs.


Chris Toth

NSDash9.com
http://www.nsdash9.com

I guess two feet over that kind of length doesn't make such a noticeable difference.

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Posted by M636C on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 6:03 AM

The Utah Railroad units 6060-6064, ex Hamersley Iron in Australia (and built in Australia) are also SD50S units built on the shorter frame.

To meet the cooling demand in their original location, their radiator intakes were moved downward to improve airflow through the cores, and the rear grille was deeper than the forward grille.

M636C

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