In 1997, the PV&T went back to the class K well for a large order of new motors, with the Portland Shops producing 30 of the new class K2 (plus 3 HEP-equipped K3 units for Amtrak’s new Alouette service between Boston & Montréal.) These units are slightly heavier than the O.G. class K motors and produce a little bit more horsepower, and can be easily recognized by the position of the pantograph and radiator sections (the O.G. Ks have the pantogaphs by the cab while the K2s have them at the rear of the unit; the radiations are reversed as well.)

These units are also notable for being the last machines using EMD-supplied radial trucks – they were ordered at the same time as a handful of EMD class I3s, so the additional 100 trucks were piggybacked onto the EMD order.

In the late 2010s, the Parsons Vale shops started to rework many of the pioneering K1 & K2 motors into multi-system units. But unlike the fairly extensive mechanical reworking needed to balance the weight distribution on the Kms, the only visible difference between a DC K2 & multisystem K2m is the removal of the hostler cab to make room for relocated electronics cabinets.

When K2m #740 was rebuilt it was painted to honour Pride Month, and remains in that paint scheme today (despite occasional attempts to vandalize it – there aren’t many LBGTQ2S+ employees in the Parsons Vale system, but upper management and the Parsons Vale board are fiercely protective of the rights of all of people working in the system.)