NS 119 highballing through Cornelia, GA. Photograph copyright Ronald Moody and reproduced courtesy of RailPictures.Net
Train Simulator user and enthusiast JacobD is going into the Norfolk Southern SD60E, Veterans Loco & First Responders Loco in detail.
Greetings, today I am proposing the SD60E in the Veterans and First Responders paint schemes. The SD60E program was designed to upgrade 1980s SD60s with up to date electronic controls and crash-worthiness upgrades. The rebuilds feature some in-house innovations, the most obvious being the NS-designed Crescent Cab, The rebuilds receive a Tier 0+ 16V-710G3B prime mover rated at 4,000 hp, compared to the standard SD60s 3,800 hp. The engines performance is enhanced even more by electronic fuel injection and a patent-pending split-cooling system designed by Don Faulker and Juniata Mechanical Supervisor Bill Thompson. This makes the locomotives 7% more fuel efficient. The rebuilds also receive a new electrical cabinet and wiring, All 160 SD60s on NSs roster have been or will be cycled through for rebuild. These include 135 NS units purchased new and 25 units acquired in 2012 from Helm. In 2013, 25 more SD60s were purchased from Helm, these will likely be rebuilt as well. NS currently has around 100 SD60Es in active service.
A long empty autorack heads north through Clinton on the K&O District towards Harriman and the CNO&TP. This train originates in Norfolk, Virginia and goes to the Toyota plant in Indiana. Photograph copyright Mark Ragan and reproduced courtesy of RailPictures.Net
Norfolk Southern Veterans & First Responders Locos
The NS Veterans Loco, Loco number #6920 would be one fantastic livery to run with on either the Horseshoe Curve route, The Norfolk Southern Coal District route and/or any upcoming NS routes. I think that DTG would make this engine look really nice and it would definitely be exciting to drive. The NS First Responders Loco, The #9-1-1 recognizes the hard work that our Ambulance, Fire & Police departments put in day in and day out. It would also be amazing to see this run down on either of the routes mentioned above. Both of these Locos are excellent additions to the NS honorary fleet and are simply a must have for NS fans like myself. Either released in the NS SD60E pack or as downloadable marketplace content, I feel that these would make an excellent addition to my current NS fleet and am sure that many others agree with me.
NS 203 is led by the Veteran's Unit #6920 heading south at state line crossing into Maryland. Photograph copyright JGoodrichphotography.com and reproduced courtesy of RailPictures.Net
NS 911 rests patiently as N&W 611 starts her empty train on the ready track for her innagural trip to Roanoke the following morning. Photograph copyright Chris Campbell and reproduced courtesy of RailPictures.Net
A lot has change over the last several years in Oakdale, TN. This was once one of the bustiest section of line on the CNO&TP where trains use to stop, and swap crew for the 2nd, and 3rd District, now the crew change point is in Burnside, KY, and the trains doesn't stop here as much anymore, but one thing that hasn't change is the train traffic which passed through the area day by day. On this day NS 48D is cutting through the Tunnel 25 block (M.P.2544.8 (CP) Tunnel 25) with the newest, and popular locomotive which Honor the First Responder NS 911 in the sharp fire engine red and white which spark excitement on its maiden voyage south through the state of Tennessee. Photograph copyright KD rail photography and reproduced courtesy of RailPictures.Net
NS 11A through PT 328.4 with the Honoring Our Veterans Unit leading westbound in perfect light! Photograph copyright B.A. Cianciotti and reproduced courtesy of RailPictures.Net
Overall the DLC would come with a NS Thoroughbred Livery, the Veterans Loco & the First Responders Loco along with freight depending on which route the DLC is intended for, another possibility with the SD60E would be to see the Go Transit NS SD60E but that would require additional licensing, it would also be a stunning expansion into the NS fleet. I feel as if this would be a step in the right direction for the next NS Loco DLC as it would be very exciting to see in the game, thank you for reading. -JacobD