MP36 416 wrote:What is a D9-40c? Isn't that an EMD unit?A D9-40C is the standard cab NS Dash 9's. The D9-40CW is the Norfolk Southern wide cab junk monstrosities that look like a big catfish. NS had GE downrate the Dash 9 to 4,000hp to save on fuel costs. The D9-40CW's are all junk. There are engines that are 30 years older than the trash 9's that can outperform them. All of the dash 8's are much better engines, the D8-40CW's with desktop controls being the only exception when drilling, but powerwise they are very good. Dash 7's also were able to out perform the trash 9's even though a lot of them were smokers, chokers, clunkers, and junkers.
On the topic of B32-8's, we had a B32-8 #3540 which was able to pull 10, 500 ft of loaded freight. When another crew came out and took the 3540 for fueling, a D9-40CW was given to us and we had to make 4 cuts on the train because it would not pull. The B32's are great little engines and not only in the yard but on the road as well. Purchasing those units was one of few good moves on Norfolk Southern's part and I still see a lot of them roaming around. I think the B32-8's that were delivered to Burlington Northern look better than the one NS received.
