CHICAGO – Canadian National has repainted E9A No. 102 in a variation of its classic green-and-black 1950s paint scheme. The unit, which was repainted at CN’s Woodcrest Shop in Homewood, is making its debut on a business train inspecting the Winnipeg–Chicago corridor April 16-18, although ES44DCs Nos. 2297 and 2226 are ahead of the E unit on the special.
This is the fourth paint scheme No. 102 has worn since the 1990s. It is one of four operational former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy E units CN inherited when it acquired Illinois Central in 1999, Nos. 100-103.
IC painted the four in a silver, black, and white scheme. CN repainted Nos. 102-103 in its original 1954 green and black scheme, with “Canadian National” spelled out on the sides and the classic Maple Leaf logo on the nose. The two units wore these colors until 2004, when they were repainted in the current red, white, and black colors. Nos. 100-101 still wear their monochrome IC colors.
No. 102 was built in January 1950 for the Burlington as E8 No. 9940A. It became Burlington Northern No. 9940 in 1970. In 1972, it was sold to Chicago’s West Suburban Mass Transit District. Morrison-Knudsen rebuilt it for Chicago commuter service in February 1974 and re-designated it an E9. Renumbered 9903, it was leased back to BN. The BN E-units were retired in 1992.
Seven ex-BN E units were sold to Illinois Central in the 1990s, with four entering service. One was scrapped by CN at Woodcrest in 2005 and the other two were sold to Larry’s Truck & Electric in McDonald, Ohio, in 2004.
CANADIAN NATIONAL should have been in script on the side insread od CN.
It would be nice if this engine could be at Streamliners at Spencer. How about it CN?
This is a lovely visual tribute to a grand historic color scheme. I do find it wryly amusing that CN never historically owned E's, yet now they do.
Given that, I'll agree that the "noodle" logo (or at least the "necessary" dip under it on the unit's flanks) isn't very attractive. Maybe it would have looked better if four faux portholes created with black-painted discs would have improved the overall effect.
Perhaps this is the start of CN's heritage program. May it end with steam engine 6218 (4-8-4) in live stream running from Toronto to Windsor and then all over the CN system.
The train came by the Depot in Baudette, Mn. where I live. However I did not have my camera with me. I was working downstairs in the depot and my camera was upstairs.
I sure hope CN returns 102 to the paint shop for a re-stencil to the original Canadian National font on the sides, and the CNR maple leaf logo on the nose. That would truly be embracing their heritage.
Neat paint scheme! Agree that the "Maple Leaf" on the nose would enhance it and make this scheme even better.
Too bad CN never (originally) had an E-unit, cause their original scheme would have looked good on an E- unit (CP Rail had the only "three" original E-8As in Canada).
I have to think there was a more elegant way to incorporate the current "noodle" logo into the old scheme. That said, it IS nice to see the CN embrace their heritage, and their keeping the Es in service.
CN: ditch the noodle. Add the maple leaf to the nose.
CN has got to send one of the IC units and this unit to Spencer.
CN should repaint the IC units into the orange and brown scheme with the "modern" logo from them. That would be nice to see.
Its pretty, nice to see it in such fine shape
Looks good, but make the black band at the bottom straight instead of that goofy looking way it goes around the noodle logo.
Nice paint job, but I would rather see it in IC silver and black.
Saw it by random chance in Stevens Point on Apr. 13. Had to do a double take!
The noodle looks ridiculous on the side of that diesel.
Any word when the move to Chicago will happen? I live in Green Bay not to far from the CN tracks. I'd love to see it go by.
Okay. Now send one to Spencer next month.
Nice job Woodcrest.