http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=120223
It sure looks like it. EMD i guess kept the mold of SDL39 trucks around! Although they have the middle axel bearing covered , it sure looks like the SDL39 trucks [:0] [8D] [:D] [:)][^]
Alec
I want to know what those things on top are.
swamp coolers…[?]
I’ve seen this photo before. The story as I remember is, the units were rebuilds going to Saudi (which isn’t known for it’s tunnels or clearance issues) and had been in or around New Orleans during the hurricane. They were going back to the shop for check out before they were shipped overseas. Saudi is known for it’s sand. If you notice the intakes are raised from the normal postion, so I’m guessing that it is a enhanced filtration/seperation system. The exhaust would be similiarly raised to keep it out of the intakes.
Dan
…I’m betting this thread can some how go political too…
Actually, this are new export units built by EMD(or whatever they’re calling themselves now). The Saudi RR has several of these models already, the originals based on the SD-50. I’ve seen these units pictured in TRAINS and Railfan, but can’t seem to find the issue listing their model designation.[banghead]
That’s a Goat pulling them, right?
The big things on top are filters. They filter the sand from the air going to the intake. As you (hopefully)well know, Saudi Arabia is desert, desert, and more desert. And what are deserts usually made up of? Correct, sand. …Although, it almost looks like one of those ancient ice-breakers for tunnels![(-D]
Are the cabs air-conditioned?
Railpictures.net sucks! Way too many popups & popunders! I will not go to that site again!!!
Right, let’s change the topic to an anti-railpictures rant. Lord knows we don’t have enough of those.
Well, it’s true!
2.5 forum fires in two weeks was bad enough. Do we want to go for 3.5?
EMD is calling them the SDL50. The Saudis have been purchasing this model in small batches for decades and apparently didn’t want to stop now. They were built in London then shipped partially assembled to VMV, where they were finished before being sent to New Orleans for their ocean voyage.
Railpicture.net is gret! The popups are the only thing wrong, and with the MSN toolbar you can block them!
I like the paint scheme, much better than the bush unit’s…
What railroad’s goat is it?
Matthew
Matthew,
The caption says New Orleans Public Belt was handling them,
and that looks like one of their engines in the lead.
(Showing my ignorance) How was an SDL39 different from, say, an SD38? Did EMD actually make an SD38? Also, how is the SDL50 different from an SD50, other than the special features to adapt it to the desert? Many thanks.
The 10 SDL39s were built for the Milwaukee Road’s light rail branches (mostly in the Dakotas, I believe) to replace RSC2s and the L stood for lightweight.
The 39s have a 12 cylinder turbocharged engine instead of the 16 cylinder roots blower engine in the 38s.
There were 38 SD38, 15 SD38AC, 81 SD38-2, 54 SD39 and 10 SDL39 built.
Still the same initials, but now they stand for Electro Motive Diesel. I guess the new owners wanted to hold on to the name brand recognition.