This solid looking loco was built by GE in the Erie, PA plant in November of 1994 as Chicago & North Western AC44CW #8821. It entered service in the iconic C&NW "Traditional Yellow" and black paint scheme. These units were primarily used for heavy coal drag service out of the Powder River Basin due to their superior AC traction performance on steep grades. Shortly after delivery, the C&NW was acquired by Union Pacific in 1995 and the loco was renumbered UP 6727. Like many of its sister units, it likely spent years in a "patched" state (C&NW paint with a UP shield or number) before eventually being repainted into Union Pacific's "Building America" livery. No photographer was listed for this photo which is now in my rr collection.
WB at Flat Top Road
C&NW 8821, GE AC4400W, NEW, awaiting departure at Proviso Yard in Melrose Park Illinois
South bound NS Schere coal train Q38 is seen as it rumbles through Jackson, Ga. at 11:57Am with a full C&NW AC4400 leading. These days are long gone, the lead unit is no longer in this form and UP lost the Georgia Power Plant Schere contract to BNSF. Scanned 10-13-2009
After spending five hours unloading at plant Scheer, It's troin sysmbol has changed to Q39 and it makes a dash towards Atlanta in the later part of the afternoon.
A south bound Scheer coac train with CNW 8821 was the resson of being track side on the day. I would shoot the same set on it's return trip after unloading on train Q39.
Q38 was the resson for being track side this day. I would shoot!this set on Q39 later in the day.
CNW 8821. Picture was taken sometime back in 2002