The (not so) Lowly NW2 And Her Calf(s)

                                            Figure 1 A NW2 Switcher from the Author's Brass Collection

The Electro-Motive NW2 1000 horsepower switcher is now widely regarded as one of the truly classic designs in the many years of diesel locomotive production by the General Motors Division. The NW2 successfully combined an arrangement which was both practical and accessible for maintenance, with design elements that link it to the 1930s and 1940s practice of making a machine stylish as well as functional. Together with the companion 600 horsepower SW1 switcher, which preceded it into production by one month, the NW2 helped to define the layout and appearance of switching locomotives for many years following its introduction in February 1939.

A detailed article on the NW2 itself will be the subject of a future post on the Hostlers Inn. For now we'll talk about her and her kids (wait! that's goats), I meant her calves.

The author is positive you realize what brings about changes in locomotives, horsepower, horsepower and more of it! At the same time as the NW2 the EMD FT units were coming on line. They came equipped with cabless "B" units for additional horsepower. The "B" unit doubled the horsepower to 2700HP.

As you would expect EMD decided to do the same for the NW2. However, instead of "A" and "B" the NW2 names became "Cow and Calf". As with many other names in locomotive heritage the origin is lost to history. 

A number of cow-calf versions of the NW2 were built. These were designated Model TR in prewar construction with the 567 “U" deck engine and Model TR2 in postwar building with the 567A engine. There was also a Model TR3, which had two calf units, popularly nicknamed a “herd”. Only two "herds" were built, both for the Chesapeake & Ohio. According to Wikipedia's list of GM-EMD locomotives these models continued with minor variations and engine changes to the TR4, etc. up to and including the TR6. 

There are some excellent brass models of these now long gone locomotives. Particularly from Overland Models. See figure 2 from the author's brass collection.

                                             Figure 2 A "cow and calf" from the author's brass collection

Some model makers have claimed "freedom of expression" rights with models they produce using liveries that never has the particular combinations. See figure 3.

Figure 3 Indiana Harbor Belt "Herd"

NW2 productions totals (from Kalmbach’s™ DIESEL SPOTTERS GUIDE) list 1119 units for US customers and 24 for Canada. There were three TR sets built (all for Illinois Central), 36 TR2 sets, and three TR3 sets (all for C&O).

Much more detailed information, including original buyers and quantities of these locomotives is available here.

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