| While visiting the restored NYC depot in La Porte, IN, next to the former NYC mainline, now Norfolk Southern, a pair of GE AC44C6M's flew past with their mixed freight heading east toward the Elkhart yard. This is an example of a rebuilt Dash 9 unit done by a combination of GE, Juniata and Roanoke Shops starting in 2015. Externally, the rebuilds have received new wide-nosed cabs and a new front hood section of the same design as on the ES44AC, while retaining the underframe and engine and radiator compartments of the original Dash 9 units. Internally, AC44C6M features a new under-floor air conditioner, cab signals, LSL, DPU systems, PTC, and ECP braking ability, a significant technological improvement from the GE Dash 9-40C units. |