A new SD70ACC visits Choco

Modernizing a fleet often means major revisions of older locomotives. Several 1994 EMD SD70 were converted from DC to AC  traction to increase reliability and hauling capacity at a lower cost than buying new locomotives. Norfolk Southern’s old #2548 was taken to Progress Rail in Muncie, Indiana where a safety cab was added, and it was converted to AC traction with several electrical upgrades. The first two units upgraded got special gray paint with a yellow bonnet. The yellow salutes Progress Rail’s owner, Caterpillar.

1801 was the second one out of the shop. It went into service last October.  On January 11, it came in on E49, spent the weekend in Chocowinity, and left on Monday on E51 headed back toward Selma.

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