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Norfolk Southern GP33ECO No. 4703

(Requires the GP38-2 Livery Support by Space).

Beginning in 2014, Norfolk Southern began a programme of rebuilding their old EMD GP50 locomotives into like-new, EPA Tier 3-compliant engines. The rebuilds are classified as GP33ECO, and they feature a distinctive black and two-tone green livery. So far thirty GP50s have been rebuilt as GP33ECOs.

In the case of - what is now - NS 4703, she was originally built as Southern Railway GP50 No. 7007 in 1980. Just two years later the Southern Railway merged with Norfolk & Western to create Norfolk Southern, but GP50 No. 7007 retained her original number into NS days.

NS 7007 remained in service until 2014, when she was sent to Altoona, Pennsylvania for rebuilding as a GP33ECO. Interestingly the original NS GP50s were all ‘high-nose’ engines, while the rebuilds all have ‘low-noses’. The rebuilt 7007 was renumbered to 4703, and re-entered service in June 2015.

Incidentally the number 7007 has since been given to one of Norfolk Southern’s SD60E locomotives. SD60E No. 7007 was rebuilt from NS 6613, an SD60.

Today the former GP50 No. 7007 is now 41 years old, is still in service with Norfolk Southern, and will hopefully remain in service for many years to come.