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Freight Class I NS repaints Erie Lackawanna SD45-2 in original colors NEWSWIRE

NS repaints Erie Lackawanna SD45-2 in original colors NEWSWIRE

By Chase Gunnoe | September 30, 2015

| Last updated on August 6, 2025

Norfolk Southern SD45-2 number 1700 poses outside the paint shop at DeButts Yard in Chattanooga, Tennessee, wearing its new, "old" paint scheme. The first of a thirteen unit order, 1700 was originally built as Erie Lackawanna number 3669, completed in October 1972, and has since worked as Conrail 6654 and NS 1700. It recently had cab upgrades done at the NS East End Shop in Roanoke, Virginia, followed by paint in Chattanooga, returning it to its original colors. It will return to revenue service, joining the fleet of five additional 1700-series locomotives presently assigned to the Conrail Shared Assets region, based out of Oak Island, New Jersey.

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Norfolk Southern No. 1700 in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Sept. 30.

Norfolk Southern

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Norfolk Southern unveiled the latest addition to its heritage fleet on Wednesday with a blast from the past.

The railroad recently repainted SD45-2 No. 1700 into its original Erie Lackawanna colors at the railroad’s Chattanooga shops. The locomotive was the first locomotive of 13 ordered by the predecessor railroad.

According to a Norfolk Southern news release, the locomotive recently received cab upgrades at its East End Shops in Roanoke and was then restored to its original yellow, red, and grey Erie Lackawanna colors in Chattanooga.

The locomotive will enter revenue service, joining the fleet of five additional 1700-series locomotives presently assigned to the Conrail Share Assets region in Oak Island, N.J.