A CN 5553 is one of 64 custom-designed SD60F locomotives built by General Motors Diesel in London, Ontario.
CN 5500-5563 are the only such loco-motives built, although they are externally identical to 60 CN SD50F predecessors. (CN retired the SD50Fs several years ago; most have been scrapped, although a handful were sold to Dakota, Minnesota Valley & Western, where they continue to operate.) On the inside, the SD60F is mechanically similar to a standard SD60 or SD60M locomotive.
On the exterior, the carbody design features a number of CN innovations, not the least of which is the North American cab. CN developed the now-familiar cab design in cooperation with Montreal Locomotive Works and General Motors Diesel in the early 1970s, and has specified it on all new locomotives purchased since 1973. Between 1982 and 1992, CN specified full-carbody designs for its locomotives in an effort to provide better working conditions for train crews and maintainers in inclement weather.
Full-carbody models included Bombardier HR616s and GE DASH 8-40CMs in addition to the aforementioned SD50F and SD60F locomotives. The full-carbody or cowl design is similar to EMD F45 and FP45 models, but incorporates another CN innovation, the “Draper taper.” Named for its CN designer, the taper is an indentation in the carbody located just behind the cab to afford better visibility to the rear. – Greg McDonnell
