The long hood is low and more representative of a true switcher body.

They had, similarly to the NW5 switchers, a short hood that could contain auxiliaries and a steam generator for passenger equipment, as EMD intended for them to be purchased as passenger switchers.

They made up order #4438, placed by the Chicago & Illinois Midland Railway, and they were given the numbers #30 and #31 in service.

A green paint scheme with a thin red stripe adorned them until the C&IM was renamed as the Illinois & Midland Railroad when they were bought by Genesee & Wyoming and added to the G&W's ever-increasing roster of shortlines.

[1] 25774 (#31) was last in service with Illinois and Midland, but in June 2016, 25773 (#30) was transferred to the Atlantic & Western Railway.