Could a D&RGW SD 40T-2 be used today without a patch on another railroad ? Thanks
It probably could be leased to another railroad still in DRGW lettering…although I suspect if you looked closely it might have a very small “SP” on it somewhere to indicate the owner.
I’m not sure there are any Rio Grande locomotives left out there.
The last lcomotive in unpatched D&RGW colors was SD40T-2 5371. It was last operated on February 29, 2008, and was retired on December 5, 2008. Athearn did a model of it back in 2007. If they do it again (in the same number), I’ll buy one.
But, the answer is “no”.
Ed
There is a #5371 on fleabay right now - and if you keep watching, you’ll more than likely be able to buy one that way rather than wait for Athearn to re-run that number, which is unlikely. Athearn will likely run new numbers if they run D&RGW SD40T-2 again. Personally I’m voting for the number series 5386-5397 with the gyra light on the box on the nose for the next round. With the chinese factory closure and major delay in the RTR line, it may be a while before we see another run, and when we do, the price will likely be $160 or higher msrp - thats what the latest SD45’s are pricedat. =(
Could an engine owned by the UP railroad lettered for the DRGW be used in interchange service? Sure.
Could an engine not owned by the UP railroad, lettered for the DRGW be used in interchange service?No.
The answer to your question is yes a Rio Grande locomotive could work for another railroad.
Just look at the Wheeling & Lake Erie.
These are 2012 photos.
This is where it gets tricky.
Technically neither of those engines is lettered for the DRGW. If you look closely at the lead engine in the 2nd picture, you will see they have stenciled a “WLE” above the road number on the side of the cab. So that engine is “lettered” for the WLE. If they have done that then I would bet that they have replaced/modified the AEI tags on the sides of the engine so anytime it goes over a scanner, it says its the WLE 1234 not the DRGW 1234. It is NOT a Rio Grande engine, its a WLE engine and any list or scan of the engine will show it as the WLE 1234, not the DRGW 1234.
Same thing with the NS heritage units. If you look at them close there is a little “NS” painted above the road number on the cab side, that and what’s on the AEI tag is the initial used by the railroads, not what’s painted on the side of the long hood.
Dave,True dat but,IIRC there’s a “WE” above the numbers not W&LE.Yeah,picky picky.
Still a full blown painted Rio Grande locomotive any way you want to slice it one one that is easily modeled.
In fact one fella I know has 2 Atlas RG GP40s with WE above the letters…Nice but,far from the actual WE/RG GP4Os numbers.
Thanks to all who answer :