More archives digging today: In 1992, one of many visits to the GE Transportation System's facility in Erie, PA, resulted in being shown (and having posed) the GE Coal Fueled C39-8CF, 609. The unit was originally constructed as GE's only C36-8 and was converted just before this view in 1992 to be run on coal slurry - a combination of coal dust and water - in place of diesel. The plate on the cab side identified the participants of the program as the Department of Energy, Norfolk Southern and GETS. The unit underwent a short stint of testing on Norfolk Southern, but few photos exist of this unit.
The cab side has the following information on a clear sheet of plastic:
US Department of Energy
Morgantown Energy Technology Center
_____________________________
Sponsored by:
GE Transportation Systems
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority
New York Energy Research and Development Authority
Be sure to check out more photos at http://steelwheelsphotography.com
