EMD NW2
The EMD NW2 is a 1,000 hp (750 kW), B-B switcher locomotive manufactured by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division of La Grange, Illinois. The NW2 was manufactured from February, 1939 to December, 1949, and 1143 were produced – 1119 for the U.S., and 24 for Canada. The 1,000 hp (750 kW) was achieved by using a 12-cylinder, model 567, and later, a model 567A engine. In addition, 3 TR cow-calf paired sets, 36 TR2 cow-calf paired sets, and 2 TR3 cow-calf-calf sets were produced. The TR sets were built prior to WW2 and the TR2 and TR3 sets were post WW2 production.
Distinguishing features include two stacks in the middle of the hood, a half-height radiator grille, no sand box on the front platform, and no small louvers at the top front corners of the sides of the hood. The predecessor of the NW2 was the NW1. The "N" in NW1 stands for nine hundred hp (670 kW). The "W" in both models stands for welded frame.
Many NW2's survive today. One NW2 is operated by the Midland Railway in Baldwin City, Kansas. It is privately owned. It is ex-Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad #9227. It is used mainly for work trains. The Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway of Illinois and Indiana operates an NW2 cow/calf unit in its Joliet railyard. The Indiana Harbor Belt who operated near 80 still operates two.
Western Pacific 608, originally built as Union Pacific D.S. 1001, that roads second wholly owned diesel, is today preserved at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum at Portola, California. This locomotive is part of the popular Run-A-Locomotive program.
References
- Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide, pp.EMD-36, 37. Kalmbach Books. Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 66-22894.
- Solomon, Brian (2000). The American Diesel Locomotive, p.53. MBI Publishing Company. ISBN 0-7603-0666-4.