The D&H South’s electrification project was completed by 2005, and one immediate result was a shortage of available multisystem units, so the motive power department had to get new motors in a hurry.

The Portland shops had just the thing; taking ILW’s lead (the single-ended K4) the K design was modified into a single-ended machine with the roof over the engine compartment raised about a foot to accomodate the large transformer needed to bring the NEC’s tensions down to the 3000 VAC the inverters needed.

20 were ordered, with deliveries starting in 2007, and after the P&W was merged another 10 followed to replace the diesels that the P&W had been using on their NE Corridor freight services.