August 27, 2017 – I got word late Sunday evening from a fellow railfan, Ryan Collins, that Q647 was headed south out of Evansville, Indiana with a couple green engines in the consist, making its way down the Henderson Subdivision. I headed to Mortons Gap, Ky after about 45 minutes, as I figured it’d take them that long to get here.
I’m told the units are headed to Tullahoma, TN to the Caney Fork and Western RR.
Well, as you can see the sun had set and dusk was getting pretty much gone as it rolled through Mortons Junction with AARX 11144 and 11145 in tow at the end of the string of power.
I’m told that this is about the third time these two engines have been up and down the Henderson Subdivision in the past few weeks. Looking for their home I guess? LOL
They are Association of American Railroads C7 units that have been rebuilt or modified over time (former ATSF CF7s), from what I can find online. Not sure what the “X” stands for as I can’t find anything online that says.
According to Wikipedia: The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is an industry trade group representing primarily the major freight railroads of North America (Canada, Mexico and the United States). Amtrak and some regional commuter railroads are also members. Smaller freight railroads are typically represented by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), although some smaller railroads and railroad holding companies are also members of the AAR. The AAR also has two associate member programs, and most associate members are suppliers to the railroad industry.