After the Parsons Vale finished the electrification of their western extension to Chicago & started electrifying other segments the job queue in the Portland Shops instantaneously filled up, forcing the motive power department to solicit bids from other locomotive builders so they could get enough new power to completely electrify (except for – sigh – power balancing on cross-country intermodal freights) the new extensions.

ILW had already been the subcontractor for a small handful of conventionally trucked class K4 & K6 motors, but when they were invited to make a bid for new motors a second time, they chose to offer road switcher versions of their already proven eco-p product line.

Two different models were produced; Four class R1 (eco-e110rs) motors for high speed express service and six class R2 (eco-88rs) motors for slower but higher tonnage trains. The R1’s are geared to match the class L motor (120mph), while the R2s are ballasted and geared for 80mph.

All of these units are in service; the R1s are in the Chicago express pool, while the R2s see service across the entire (electrified) system.