The SD60I (Isolated) "Whispercab" was essentially an SD60M with an improved "isolated" cab (hence the "I") that was designed to minimize noise inside the cab and reduce vibration providing a better working environment for Train & Engine service employees. Conrail purchased its SD60Is as "kits" from EMD, who did not have the production capacity to meet the order at the time. These kits were assembled by the Juniata shops in Altoona. Conrail's SD60Is were numbered from 5575 through 5654, and one exception, 5544. CR 5544 was the first unit designed with the new cab and became the standard for subsequent orders. The SD60I's are identical to the SD60M's with only a few spotting features telling them apart, the rubber nose seam and reverse mounted nose door.
From my own personal experience, the SD60I is the premier model for sound quality. In notch 8 with the amps in the red, crews can talk at a normal level without having to scream. These cabs are in fact so quiet, it's common to have to open the window on occasion to make sure the horn still works! The units were built with a 2 piece front windshield and 4 piece side windows without sun visors. The side windows are built on an easy slide track design and combined with the tinted glass provide superior crew comfort.
In 1999, the fleet was divided between Norfolk Southern and CSX. Those assigned to NS were renumbered into the 6717 - 6762 series, while CSX allocated units became 8722 - 8755.
Surviving SD60Is
CR 5589, soon to become CSXT 8728, at Cumberland, MD on 6/13/99.
CR 5605(later CSXT 87XX) and a NS GE leads Q123 south of Grant Park, IL just 4 days after the merger on June 4, 1999. Chris Howe photo
Just 2 days after the merger CR 5628, NS 9339, NS 7211(ex CR 4119) leads NS 22K(old CR Mail-8) at Kendallville, IN on June 2, 1999. Chris Howe photo
(ex-CR 5576) at Landenberg Junction, Delaware on 7/1/2008.
CSX 8723 (ex-CR 5576) and CSX 8757 (ex-CR 5502) are on Q-409 at Haworth, NJ on the CSX River Sub (ex-CR River Line) 3/18/2009
Former CR 5576 is seen trailing on Q370-25 at Elsmere DE on 5/26/10.
Former CR 5579 is seen here leading Q439 westbound.
Former CR 5589 is seen leading CSX local C746 at Lansdale, PA on 6/11/08.
CSX 8728 is on the point of Q-417 on CSX's River sub (ex CR River Line) at Ridgefield Park, NJ 6/7/2009
Former CR 5594 is seen at Elsmere DE on 4/18/09.
Former CR 5594 is seen on Q438-31 at Elsmere DE on 11/1/11.
CSX 8732 (ex-CR 5599) is on the point of Q-409 at Dumont, NJ 10/2002
Former CR 5601 is seen on Q370 at Perryville MD on 8/10/07.
Former CR 5604 is seen on Q439-13 at Newark DE on 3/14/11.
Former CR 5612 is seen on Q702-09 at Newark DE on 6/9/12.
Former CR 5614 is seen on a westbound intermodal at the Cumberland, MD Amtrak station on 11/4/11.
Former CR 5614 is seen trailing on Q641-10 at Hyndman PA on 8/11/12.
Former CR 5616 is at Cumberland, MD in May 2001.
Former CR 5619 is seen on Q703-30 at Elsmere DE on 1/31/10. Note the plow has been modified to operate in third rail territory.
Former CR 5619 is seen on CSAO train CA-11 at Paulsboro NJ on 9/13/10. Note the plow has been cut to operate in third rail territory.
Former CR 5619 is seen on Q373-07 at Elsmere DE on 1/7/12.
A roster view of former CR 5619 on Q373-07 at Elsmere DE on 1/7/12.
Former CR 5627 is seen at Elsmere, DE on 11/21/2009.
Former CR 5627 is seen on CSX Q370 at Elsmere, DE on 3/19/12.
CSX 8741 (ex-CR 5627) is on the point of Q-268 at Haworth, NJ 10/14/2009
