Both. First they were banned as lead units due to their deteriorating
condition and, as a result of this the ASW units (LSDUs) were removed to
somewhere they would be of more use (NR 76 - NR 97).
>
> 2. Exactly what does 6tn mean?
Six throttle notch. NRs can be notch limited to 6, 7 or 8 notch (roughly
2900hp, 3600hp and 4050hp).
>
> 3. And from your point of view as a professional, are NRs the
> greatest thing to drive since sliced bread?
>
>From a crew comfort view they offer a much quieter cab, better ride, better
air conditioning (and quieter), an electric fridge (c/f a noisy air
operated food cooler), a CD/radio, and a more ergonomic design.
>From an operation view they are more fuel efficient, more versatile (the
ability to turn all units in a consist on and off line from the drivers
seat means all powering up grades and just enough powering to maintain the
timetable on the flats.), and with the new adhesion package (GE talk for
better software) they pull very well and maintain a good speed on grades.
Overall not the greatest thing since sliced bread (surely that was the 42
class:-)) but pretty close. It would have been interesting to see what GM
could have produced ( The Westrail Q class frames we are carting west look
pretty good).
> 4. Finally, are there specific "big wheel" drivers within NR (given
> that it's a freight only operation), or are all crew able to
> operate locos hauling passenger trains?
>
One of the principals of NR loco drivers rostering is that all drivers in a
depot work all jobs in that depot. Its called multiskilling and hopefully
avoids the I'm a more important driver than you mentality.
-- Cheers KrelThe Law of Inverse Proportions - The chances of the signal clearing without having to get out of the cab and go to a lineside phone is inversly proportional to the amount of rain falling at the time :-)