In 2019, the I&M followed the lead of the M&B’s battery sled by modifying 3 of their eco-644s to use as motor power units for running electric locomotives over the non-electrified sections of the I&M/OSW/D&H line to Chicago. Externally they are almost identical to I&M’s regular class DL34 locomotives; the only visible difference was a roof level power bus that connected to the class K3r motors they are mated to. Mechanically they were reworked to be more like ILW’s eco-435/50e locomotives – when a locomotive set is under wire, power is transmitted to them – with, in addition, the ability to transmit power to the motor.

This is made possible by the ability of a Cummins QSK95 to spin up and start providing power in under two minutes; until the Chicago extension was completely electrified, these units allowed motors to carry a train across unelectrified segments of the route.

After the Chicago extension was fully electrified in 2024, these units had their power busses removed and then were sent to the LT&L’s (slowly electrifying) international line to St. John, NB.

  • Copyright © 2024 by Jessica L. Parsons (orc@pell.portland.or.us) unless otherwise noted
    Tue Apr 18 10:37:45 PDT 2023