| CRI&P SW900m 551, 47th Street, Chicago, Illinois, March 28, 1965, photo by Chuck Zeiler. This locomotive was built by EMC during July 1938 (c/n 721) as #523, a Model SW built on EMC Order E205 (an order for ten SW's, #'s 519-528). During April 1957, SW 523 was sent to EMD for rebuilding into SW900m 551 (on EMD Order 7543), rated at 600 horsepower. There was only three inches difference between the SW frame (40'5") and the SW900 production frame (40'8") so likely the frame and cab were reused during rebuilding. I cannot account for the horsepower derating, but perhaps the original GE model 287E traction motors were also reused. |