EWG (Eastern Washington Gateway RR), no stranger to unusual and interesting motive power, has a new addition to the roster. NIWX 2204 is a GE U23B, Ex Penn Eastern Rail Lines EPRY 2204, Exx P&W 2204, Originally Conrail 2795, then CR 2206. Builder Number 41590, built 6/77, the third from the last U23B built by GE. GE built 481 U23B's from 1968 to 1977. At 2250 HP, their primary competition would have been the EMD GP38.

As a member of the last order of this model, 2204 has many refinements that were done over the life of the U23B production. Not the least of these is a standard AAR control stand. Although several other U23B's still exist, 2204 is believed to be the only member of this class now in regular service.

2204 joins WRIX 8702, an ex UP SD40-2T "tunnel motor", in service on EWG. The two get along well and happily MU with each other.


2204 is seen at Cheney WA 8/8/2015 shortly after arriving at EWG


2204 is the trailing unit on a loaded grain train. Hite WA, 9/1/2015


2204 and 8702 in Cheney WA 9/1/2015 after completing their run from Almira WA.

Former CR 2798, the last U23B built, was donated to the Railroad Museum of New England. Do any AP readers know it's current status? Operational, stored, stuffed and mounted, etc?