The Story of the CNW Twins (CNW 8646 and 8701)

[@erict5234]

A couple of facts you may not have known... The head of UPs motive power was a former CNW employee named Mike Iden. He was directly responsible for protecting those units all of those years. They were often deferred from maintenance that would have required them to go to Little Rock. The Proviso shop kept them from getting patched and ran them in "captive service" with strict instructions to keep the units in either the twin cities-butler- proviso pool, or the West Chicago turn. They were never supposed to journey far from Chicago. I was told that the IRM deal, originally was so the units would be there for a CNW historical society meeting. The IRM took great care of them, including application of new decals and touching up the CNW paint....and supposedly didnt charge the UP storage to keep them there. When Mr. Iden retired, Omaha wasted no time in scheduling them to go to the paint booth. They went into longterm storage because they never received the PTC install. They are now just more UP junk roaming the system. The last time i was in Butler, there were still 3 patched cnw units in the deadline... Google earth shows them still there, but im not certain on that.

[@nigelrichardson4327]

Ah so thats the man behind their seige against the paint booth. Wish it could've gone a step further towards preservation given how little UP realistically used/needed them. Last I was told the twins are in an Idaho storage line.

[@zachpetersen9425]

​@@nigelrichardson4327actually wrong 9805 Fort Worth got her and did UPs bidding

[@nigelrichardson4327]

@@zachpetersen9425 Oh you’re kidding… say sike right now

[@Chescat124]

This Mike Iden dude deserves respect, he helped keep these historic dash 9s unpatched

[@aurickane]

Bless Iden's heart and soul

[@aurickane]

The amount of emotion I felt watching this is unreal

[@BNSFrailfan01]

Fr bro

[@tripleagaming6814]

I agree

[@Apoptart]

Fr!

[@JCmilwaukee]

So true 😢

[@OfficialSEIC2K6]

It truly felt super emotional. CNW #8646 and #8701 were repainted and then renumbered #9750 and #9805 which almost made me cry

[@Chescat124]

This is the most emotional mind blowing video ever, thank you for this masterpiece, truly a CNW approved video. Also whoever thought of repainting both of them in Omaha, *YOU ID-*

[@BNSF4706]

Whoever told them to repaint them. *bell* off

[@SharkyCartelRailroad]

This was unfathomably well put together. Everybody wants to rule the world as the intro and outro tied it all together. And the lyrics "nothing ever lasts forever" went so well with it

[@OfficialSEIC2K6]

The iconic CNW Twins get attention. They had a good story. They were repainted into UP colors and renumbered. They are still legends even if they're repainted. They're unfortunately still in storage awaiting uncertain fate. Who knows whats next for the CNW twins? Preservation or rebuilding? We'll never know for sure. Only time will tell their fate.

[@atsf855sanbernardinocounty85]

Preserve them 8646 8701 hand over IRM restore them back original CNW colors

[@c44-9w9]

@@atsf855sanbernardinocounty85 they should do that it would be a great preservation project!

[@JamesWellman-hk2zl]

Sell them to rhma

[@Comeng_]

Why do i see u everywhere

[@DillianTrainzStudios]

The fact that these locomotives got to be on charter trains, railfan events, and at the IRM’s Diesel Days makes these two absolute CNW legends! *cough cough* 1385 and 175 *cough cough* Jokes aside, what a brilliant documentary to end 2023 on!

[@tatecarlson]

Such an interesting story for these hard working twins of the railroad. It took me a while to remember about them then I remembered that I rode on that 2009 excursion in Des Moine, Iowa, not in a passenger car though, rather the cab (thanks to my grandfather being friends with Steve Lee and Lynn Nystrom)

[@Pensyfan19]

*Absolutely incredible video!!* I apologize for not getting around to watching this masterpiece sooner, but out of all my years of watching train related videos on youtube, this is undoubtedly the greatest locomotive documentary I've ever seen on the site. The impeccable music choice also made this video the most dramatic of its kind, as there were times where I almost shed a tear for the twins. All of that combined with focusing on the lesser known journeys of these units during the early 2000s, and you have one of the greatest videos on the entirety of youtube. Bravo once again on this masterpiece, and I can't wait for what's in store for the channel.

[@aidansturtz2025]

There are a total of 4 CNW units in original Paint owned by UP, UP 9696 stored in Butler Wisconsin, UP 9741, & UP 9771 Stored in Grand Junction Colorado. UP 6706 is the last CNW painted AC4400, and the only one of the 4 remaining CNW units in service. Currently UP 9805 (CNW 8701) is apart of the rebuild program and as of now will be getting rebuilt at Wabtec in Fort Worth Texas. UP 9750 still sits in storage to this day in Marysville Kansas with no future plans of rebuild as of now.

[@slynigglewiggles]

Just seen UP 9771 in Wichita KS. Just got out on MWTFW for the rebuild program in Texas.

[@aidansturtz2025]

@@slynigglewiggles Yup, first one to go, as of now that's the only one that's going in for rebuilds.

[@RailAceProd8501]

UP 9805 is rebuilt & back in service it was seen going through Kinder, Louisiana 2 days ago.

[@maxtherailfan309]

Me and my brother are huge CNW foamers and we felt a lot of emotion seeing this video, thank you for sharing it my guy!

[@PatrickESpecht]

NGL, I love the IRM. My neighbor used to be the IT director there. He ignited my love of tech and model railways. Wally was my tech hero...

[@jfdelamora]

I was a fireman oiler in proviso and eventually a conductor and locomotive engineer on the illinois division. I got to service and operate the twins and the 1995 in fact I might've serviced the 1995 when it was first delivered to the diesel ramp in proviso around 2006. I operated jobs like ig2g3 with the twins and mprnp with the 1995. Needless to say I'm saddened to hear the twins were repainted. Just this past year i got to see the 1995 at ihbrr Burnham yard parked with a kcbx coal train. I work now for the ihb locomotive engineer at blue island. So I've got some soul ties with the twins and the 1995. Thanks for the memories.

[@TM-gm6zk]

I can confirm that CNW 8701 (UP 9805) is in line at Wabtec in Justin TX for rebuild. It may already be leaving the shop as I write this as the rebuilds have been getting finished quick since I went through the whole line a month ago and took photos of every dash 9 in their original form. They now get rebuilt with a more modern cab and a car body more similar to that of an ac44. 8701 looks like it will be taking a return back to the rails soon. Most of the rebuild line that I saw were actually ex-CNW, and a lot of the older repaints had their CNW paint bleeding through on the tops of the cabs, but the rebuild program will guarantee a fresh repaint as well.

[@thetexasrailfan]

I think I saw CNW 8646 in line last week!!! THE TWINS ARE BACK!!!

[@RailAceProd8501]

UP 9805 is actually back in service. My friend @MattTheUPRailfan2006 caught it going through Kinder, Louisiana 2 days ago.

[@thetexasrailfan]

I can confirm that 8905 and 9750 are awaiting rebuild at the Justin,Tx Wabtec faculty!! THE TWINS ARE BACK

[@FreedomRailfan1776]

I can’t tell if this is good or bad

[@Lordbillystrains]

@@FreedomRailfan1776bad cuz the original cab will be swapped for gevo cab so no chance of irm buying them

[@jacobruiz97]

Really? I heard they were retired a few years back.

[@BNSFrailfan01]

@@jacobruiz979805 is rebuilt and now has the GEVO cab, 9750 is stored in Kansas with an uncertain future.

[@ATSF669]

I was lucky enough to see these two in service on UP’s Proviso to Rochelle intermodal local and various times at the IRM. Excellent documentary on these iconic engines. Love Live the CNW Twins!

[@masonlopez7386]

13:00 was definitely the most emotional part of the video

[@UrMomsChauffer]

The beats are on point. The history is thorough. The graphics are excellent. Great video.

[@larry84988]

Nice work, and thank you for crediting my photos 😁

[@metalheadrailfan]

The twins ending up repainted and then rotting in a dead line almost immediately after is like a kick in the gut. As you said, in the long run, it was UP's decision to repaint them, however with how increasingly monotone and bland the Class 1s are now (yes yes they're a business first and foremost), seeing something of actual fallen flag units, not gimmicky heritage units, roaming around was such a brief deviation from all of that. Like now more than ever I wanna try and capture as many remaining ATSF Warbonnet Dash 9s as possible before BNSF turns them all into RCO units.

[@BringMayFlowers]

There's plenty of them here on the Phoenix sub, and still a decent number of Freightbonnets and BN units, at least out in Galesburg, but I saw a BN SD40-2 pair recently.

[@atsf855sanbernardinocounty85]

Will one thing Union Pacific needs donate CNW 8646 8701 at IRM and UP would just fined brand new units that doesn’t intact with former CNW RR and make a announcement of CNW twins donate in IRM a lot sooner

[@atsf855sanbernardinocounty85]

ATSF did have C40-8W the 800 series my favorite unit has to be Santa Fe #855 a C40-8W

[@tolucaheights]

Please do, BNSF has a east-west intermodal line through my hometown and growing up mid 2000s I loved seeing the red silver war bonnets and the occasional blue and yellow, now it's all pumpkins, occasionally a old war bonnet. Begging to be repainted

[@ShawnC.W-King]

The amount of hardness you went on this video was absolutely mind-blowing and I thank you for it; All the music, the elements, shout out to the IRM... You did your homework sir and you have a new subscriber.

[@MrSEANDEERE]

Excellent documentary my friend. Funny how we get attached to these big old machines. I remember seeing one the twins coming into montreal! It was a pretty cool day to be a Canadian rail fan.

[@atsf4931]

I love that they got back with the new rebuilds of dash 9s

[@railsofmilwaukee]

3:34 9771 is not the only ex CNW dash 9 in storage. UP 9696 is also in storage in Butler, WI.

[@sgtdebones]

9741 is with 9771 also

[@trainlandia697]

16:28 I actually saw UP6706 yesterday! I was in Boone, IA taking pictures of UP1111 (which, I might add, was on a siding next to the road. It was all by itself. Almost like UP put it there for this specific reason), and I hear a horn. A train goes by. The train has two DPUs in the middle. The second DPU is 6706. As soon as it passes, I , along with my grandmother and uncle, jump in our car and chase after it! Unfortunately, it got away, and I didn’t get a picture of it up close, but I did get a picture of it from afar when it was passing by the yard! I’m glad that UP still lets some of these unpainted locomotives slip through the cracks. It really makes us railfans all the more happier!

[@SignalMan9292]

I saw UP 1111 lead a coal train and 6706 lead a mixed freight and just 30 minutes later was UP1995 trailing all in the same day.

[@dannycohen8870]

Love the fact that you played everybody wants to rule the world it really goes with the twins story! I like that because I like 80s music

[@TheBurlingtonTransitFan]

Awesome. Great job, Halton! Loved this documentary!

[@anthonyhunt701]

Fantastic video! Got to see the Twins 💛💚

[@AustinArt21]

I freaking love these so much I made a wooden train version of 8701

[@Cnw8701]

Nice! Glad you covered these units!

[@TWIGYBNSF]

Fantastic video! I remember someone from UP said some stupid thing saying that because they didn't have anything official heritage unit related, they were not considered heritage units

[@BNSF4706]

OH NO THEY ARE

[@joshthetrainfan]

Some of these units from CNW are going to be rebuilt to AC44C6Ms, but I heard somewhere that UP would donate the two engines upon retirement to the IRM.

[@atsf855sanbernardinocounty85]

For real Union Pacific would retire the CNW twinsticks to IRM when will UP will announce put them back original CNW 8646 8701 colors

[@gemcofoamer]

​@@atsf855sanbernardinocounty85 *twins

[@thythethy9590]

Absolutely Killer Video 💪😤

[@thunderbolt5695]

i like how you used rolling line for this note: i almost cried

[@josepantoja5033]

That’s a great documentary and the stories for the engines are cool.

[@yeahman70]

Sadly, 9805 is now in the rebuild program for UP, and is in the process to be rebuilt into an AC44C6M. Just in the past month or two, GE has rebuilt several Dash 9s from UP, and I won’t be surprised if all of UPs Dash 9 fleet is rebuilt. As of right now, only 4 CNW painted units remain on the UP roster. Of those, only one is active, that being AC44CW #6706. The other three are Dash 9s, 9696, 9741 and 9771. 9696 is stored in Butler, WI and the other two are stored in Colorado. It is likely that these three will also be rebuilt in the future, and since UP has been rebuilding many AC44s it’s likely 6706 will be rebuilt soon too. Once these last 4 are rebuilt, all of the CNW Dash 9s and AC44s will be repainted. It’s unfortunate none could be saved

[@railfanmaximstill7279]

Lucky I saw 6706 when I had the chance

[@Cnw8701]

Whoa, you even included one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite artists for the video, too! 😂

[@arey721]

Great choice of music for the intro and outro

[@zachpetersen9425]

I am lucky enough as it is that I have seen both of them lead individual trains on different days out of Global 3 on 12/29/2014 for 8646 and 1/19/2015 for 8701. Also to add, 8701 or 9805 is converted to C44ACM😢.This was a good documentary to close out 2023. Happy New Year Cowl Unit Productions.

[@flowercityrails]

CNW 8701 (UP 9805) ive heard is now slated for rebuild while 8646 (9750) has not yet

[@West-Coast-2010-Railfan]

I love that mini-documentary! Update: CNW 8701/UP 9805 is back on the mainline

[@BNSFrailfan01]

8701 was tragically rebuilt earlier this year into a C44ACM. Now that UP has finished their 75 dash 9 rebuilds, it's unclear what's next for 8646. It still remains stored in Marysville, Kansas, among other C44-9Ws. Who knows? Maybe someday the IRM will get their hands on 9750 and at least manage to save one of the twins, as 9805 received the GEVO cab during its rebuild and therefore is no longer original. In regards to 6706, UP has finally reached the 6000 series low ditch light AC4400CWs in their more recent C44ACM rebuild program after all this time. 6814 was the first to be rebuilt, and that signifies that 6706's days are numbered. From an inside source at UP, it was planned to be sent to Wabtec in late April, but was somehow sent away from the facility at Fort Worth. After that, the unit manage to tour the entire UP system, and if that's not a sign that UP is trying to give railman's a last chance to shoot mainline CNW power, I don't know what is.

[@genesisrailfan1507]

Nice little setup Halton to the other previous vid of the F7 duo

[@MattTheUPRailfan2006]

I cried while watching this...great video and its good to know that two CNW lasted long in service...Hopefully one day the get put back into revenue service or as you said be rebuilt by wabtec into service!!!😮😊😢

[@RailfanningWC-uu2nx]

WEST CHICAGO MENTIONED!!!!!!🎉🎉🎉🗣️🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥 Great video btw!

[@nigelrichardson4327]

Very nice mini-documentary! A couple of notes on historical information: The CNW was directly responsible for the Dash-9 coming into existence. It was pleased with the performance of the Dash-8 but wanted something that was both stronger and more comfortable for crews, thus working with GE to create the C44-9W. Another note is that there are believe to actually be 3 CNW Dash-9s left in storage, those units being 9771, 9696, and 9741. As for their current fate to my knowledge the CNW twins were only painted; never got PTC, and are in storage in Idaho. In terms of their repainting I think the rise in vandalism had something to do with it given their number boards were stolen and 8701 had its dtich lights smashed while on IRM property. Rumor was that UP took them out out of spite for their equipment being treated as such, not just Omaha finally wrangling them in. In a perfect world I hope for them to get the same preservation treatment as 6847 as the twins would be great museum pieces given their historical significance, but alas we'll just have to see. Keep it up!

[@sleepy8490]

Beautifully done! Bravo!

[@Cnw8701]

UP #9741, #9771, and #9696 are the last CNW-painted units on UP's roster as of 2024.

[@trainkidasher9731]

This is fire ass production🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@lnproductions3227]

As someone who loves the Chicago & Northwestern this was heartbreaking to watch

[@ThatDiamondGuy1565]

"Why.. *sniffle*" "Why am I crying?"

[@spencercorby4571]

My dad worked for the cnw, as well as the Milwaukee road. It's cool to watch for me. He lived in clinton Iowa around the time the famous trio was there. He may remember it.

[@gemcofoamer]

That's nice

[@Optimaloptimus]

This video is good enough to make a few short American Thomas the Tank Engine episodes featuring these two.

[@EduardoSalazar-jn1pn]

Great video! Greetings from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

[@tigershark4469]

Amazing Everybody wants to rule the world introduction to the two units!

[@strawberrry1980]

This almost made me cry RIP cnw twins

[@amtrakisveryepic]

As of 2024 UP 9805 is now a rebuild with a brand new cab. Glad that she's back out on the rails, unfortunate that it's lost almost all resemblance to its former self.

[@yankeesforlife24]

Rumor has it and I’m not so sure it’s a rumor, just fact, is that former CNW execs in Chicago watched over the Twins. They led a privileged life, operating on former CNW track and often together. They were painted in 2017 when a UP executive sent out a general order to paint all units not in armor yellow. Originally they were only slated to be given PTC, but when they arrived in Iowa for repaint the shop noticed they were unpatched and still in CNW colors. By that time most of the CNW execs had retired so there was no watchful eye over them and they were repainted. Both of them are currently in deadlines somewhere on the UP system, rotting away. Hopefully UP does the right thing and repaints them and donates them to the IRM, especially since they have no plans on reactivating 30 year old dash 9s but I wouldn’t hold my breathe.

[@844SteamFan]

6:01 It’s kinda funny that 2446 has ended up being the only CN Dash 8 left in Council Bluffs, with only a road separating the yard it’s in from the former CNW yard in CB.

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

I once actually saw UP 1995. I didn’t know what it was at first, mainly because I was very young and not very familiar with railroad heritage units, but I did some research on the internet and found that it was in fact CNW 1995.

[@sernajrlouis]

GREAT video!!!

[@MissouriRailroadProductions]

I actually caught 6706 leading a train a few years ago!

[@MattTheUPRailfan2006]

I caught it leading the WB UP M-LIEW a few months back!!!

[@Lord_Billy]

bro single-handedly inspired me long story short i dropped 300 bucks on 1 athern Genesis model and a blue box

[@Jennifer-K5LA]

"Heritage unit leading REAL Heritage." Cant say I have ever heard that said in the rail faning community till now...I absolutely have to model this pair and their EMD tribute locomotive...👊❤

[@railhawkracer1911]

I just saw up 9696 in a deadline in butler Wisconsin which is one of only three dash 9s in CNW paint

[@gemcofoamer]

Glad to know it's still there

[@Lordbillystrains]

I miss them so much

[@jerryreed3720]

Perfect ending to a perfect story

[@Autistic_EthanOfficial]

Petition: get up to bring back the og paint and make them a heritage unit pair

[@SPRailfan4449]

Great video! You should be getting way more likes and Subs for your work! 🔥👏😎

[@RailfanLan2006]

UP knew what they were doing with pairing the two with 1995 lol

[@TSJoe]

I caught 9750 in Houston, TX with a bunch of other Dash-9s going to wabtec in 2022!

[@OfficialRailFanTay_Productions]

UP still has 3 CNW units, other than the CNW heritage SD70ACe. Those being UP 6706, UP 9771, and UP 9741. UP 6706 is the only UP / CNW unit active on UP. The 9771 and 9741 are supposedly on a deadline or just stored. Their original numbers are: UP 6706 - CNW 8804 UP 9771 - CNW 8687 UP 9741 - CNW 8637

[@zachpetersen9425]

Butler UP 9696

[@OfficialRailFanTay_Productions]

@@zachpetersen9425 what

[@zachpetersen9425]

Butler Yard in Milwaukee, WI is where UP 9696 is

[@GreatNW]

CNW was one of those paint schemes that both stands out but looks good. But hey thats coming from a guy who likes the bn cascade green schemes.

[@RailsOfTheSouthProductions]

Got them at IRM not long before they were pulled from storage, glad i got them when I did

[@slug96]

UP 1995 and The Twins were paired together after 2010* The Twins and UP 1995 were heading east from Council Bluff, IA, after the 2015 CNW Historical Society Convention on train MCBPR 07. Power was UP 8897, CNW 8646, CNW 8701, UPY 520, and UP 1995. *UP 1995 was a single mid-DPU so there's your technicality.

[@amtrakp4242]

In the Belleville & Western Universe, around Mid 2023, a CRISIS happened! A lack of larger engines forced B&W to rent some UP engines, including the CNW twins. Both CNW Twins were later bought, though 8646 was the first. He started to miss 8701, so B&W bought 8701 and a few SP C44-9Ws. Soon, both engines got their CNW colors back and now, they roam on B&W tracks, even the former CNW ones! Both still run with other engines. That is in another universe though.

[@amtrakp4242]

We need 8646, 8701, 8601, UP 6736 (with CNW OLS logo), 8804, and 8671 to be preserved

[@AndreHickson-gf2sn]

I really missed them two that is my favorite locomotives on CNW

[@canadiantrainperson]

Wow, this is actually very sad... :( RIP C&NW twins...

[@DH2906PRODUCTIONS]

I got a Donold & Douglas vibe from this

[@Metra167Productions]

Boy I love the C&NW!

[@daskriegsman7013]

I'm mainly a steam guy. But this video just made me appreciate diesels a bit more.

[@markelldaniels9285]

Dope background music 🔥🎵🎶💯🔥

[@lizggil123]

5:37 AMAZING PHOTO!!!!

[@williamflowersrailfannerpr3808]

The twins will never be forgotten ❤

[@Blaze06]

I was wondering if this would happen! I remember when one of my friends saw the Twins sitting at the IRM-UP interchange years ago and I guess some Foamers were scared the units were getting repainted or scrapped as some parts were stolen off the units and UP ended up billing IRM for it I think. Hopefully UP or someone else in the near future can make the story of these two units live on regardless if it’s preservation or not!

[@flowercityrails]

If you consider rebuilding sort of preservation then 8701 is slated for rebuilding, 8646 hasnt been sent yet

[@UP6706_Central_Iowa_Railfan]

​@@flowercityrails wait, what?????? 8701 is going to be rebuilt?

[@flowercityrails]

@@UP6706_Central_Iowa_Railfan yeah i heard it somewhere

[@Trainboytherailfan]

The twins got repeated but my friend saw 6706 in this town in NJ

[@NS_1065_Productions]

Something he forgot to mention: UP 1995 and 8646 we're paired up on a autorack.

[@atsf855sanbernardinocounty85]

Union Pacific should make announcement of retire UP/CNW 1995 hand to IRM with the CNW twins go with it see three CNW units be on youtube videos everywhere

[@gemcofoamer]

What?

[@MattS_Filmography]

Off topic but at 1:17, you can see a C&IM SD38-2 in the power pool of CNW units.

[@The52car]

the Tears for Fears clips at the beginning and end were the best moments in cinema in 2023.

[@JacksonBaum-d6m]

There are 3 CNW units, 9741, 9771, and 6707. 9771 and 9741 are in storage, while 6707 still roams the rails

[@joshmeister4449]

Here in Kansas we get ALOT of former CNW AC4400's and "Some" Dash9's almost every day coming through Manhattan.

[@Frisco1522productions]

fun fact: there is a few more cnw locomotives like 1385 and 175 411 and metra's cnw heritage unit

[@joeboggan]

Perfect music choice, got to see them once on the Geneva Sub. Sad they got repainted so fast

[@TracksideSamOfficial]

“Dont cry because its gone, Smile because it happened.” -dr. Seuss

[@CedarLakeRailfanner]

If these units ever get preserved the IRM would probably be the top option

[@Triple7Productions806]

Where can I find info on certain locomotives. I’m planning on making a series where I go into the history of locomotives that I think are great

[@SuperOwensTrainsYT]

8:27 they have mbta 902? Mbta runs near me!

[@Planes_man]

i'm F"cking crying

[@molossis]

i forgot the cnw even existed

[@BNSFTrains10]

However as of 2024 UP 9805 (ex CNW 8701) has been part of the Rebuilt and given a new GEVO Cab and still kept her UP Numbers and is still in service with UP.