One Response to NW2 254

  1. Mark Davidson says:
    April 7, 2025 at 7:50 PM

    Location is St. Louis, Missouri.

    In both images the locomotive is in Lindenwood Yard. In the first image the locomotive is near the north side at the eastern end of the yard. At the front of the locomotive the image shows the Pyle National barrel style headlight with integrated side number boards, an angled grab iron below the front radiator intake, and the added flagging equipment box on the walkway deck. Based on the overhead view the shot was taken from the Arsenal Street bridge.

    View is looking north northeast.

    In the second image, later in the afternoon the locomotive is near the west end of the yard. In the distance are loaded flatcars at the trailer on flat cars (TOFC) facility. Combined the two images show many of the spotting characteristics of General Motors (GM) Electro-Motive Division (EMD) NW2 phase IV locomotives. These include the arched top cab front windows, half height hood front radiator intake grills, hood top louvered sheet metal radiator covers, two step taper transition from the hood top to the cab front, and frame falsies just inboard of the corner step wells.

    Another characteristic are the six engine compartment doors with a 12” flat letterboard between the four upper and thirteen lower stamped vents. The original doors feature 90-degree twist handles mid door with internal vertical latching bars. Unrelated to the phase designation, the Frisco replaced the forward main generator compartment doors, third from the cab front, with louvered doors. These featured two stacked groups of 9 stamped vents with new style upper and lower clasp door latches. The replacement doors improved cooling air ventilation around the main generator.

    Another interesting detail appears in the top image. Note the lower chevron stripe. It was originally bright florescent orange 3M brand Scotchlite reflective tape. The material had long duration adhesion issues, and the color was prone to rapid fading. As shown, the left stripe has detached, it is no longer present and right stripe has badly faded.

    View is looking west northwest.

    Hope this helps.

    Thanks!

    Mark

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