Between 1976 and 1977, Swedish locomotive Rc4 1166 was loaned to Amtrak in the United States for testing in regular service on the busy Northeast Corridor between New York and Washington, D.C. Repainted in Amtrak’s livery and designated X 995, the locomotive was modified for American standards, including automatic couplers and a horizontal collision bar above the coupler.
The tests were successful, leading Amtrak to order 65 AEM-7 locomotives based on the Rc4 design. Built by EMD in the U.S. with components from ASEA, these locomotives could reach speeds of up to 200 km/h and served reliably for decades.
After the trials, Rc4 1166 returned to Sweden and regained its original orange paint and Rc4 designation. Later it was operated by Green Cargo.
More recently, the locomotive was part of a deal between Green Cargo and the lease company Nordic Refinance. A Nordic employee noticed that the machine with its peculiar history was now part of the fleet and initiated the transformation.
Related posts:
[locomotive] Nordic Re-Finance wants Swiss Re620s in Sweden, awaits permission ERA
[locomotive] Nordic Re-Finance plans special liveries for Re 620s
[locomotive] 55 locomotives sold – Nordic Re-Finance and Grenland Rail went shopping at Green Cargo’s
[SE] Nordic Re-Finance feels demand; current fleet standing and future prospects
