Funny, weren’t railfans saying the same when SD40-2’s were new?
First off, from any older railroader Ive ever talked to, says they dont mind the SD40-2s or even SD45s for that matter. All of the new guys are little babies when it comes to this, and If their little ears are going to hurt. As much as the new engines are nice, the SD40-2s perform. The GEVOs and ACes are solid units (moreso the GEVO from what Ive heard) but you can use an SD40-2 for anything. They load with the snap of a finger, and they are smooth riders. Ear plugs are a nice thing to have, so use them. Old units, how about the MP15ACs? I know a bunch of guys from CP who just LOVE those things, they kick cars like nothing else. The SD40-2s will be around a while yet, just in smaller numbers. Ive talked to people on CP who hate the AC44s, they are about as noisy and they rattle as much as an SD40-2. They would prefer a SOO Line SD60 any day. Its a good sign to see SD40-2s getting new paint, because the railroad wont be able to get rid of them as fast as they want. Look how long it took CN to get rid of the SD45s.
If CSX gets rid of the SD40-2s, get rid of the 80XX,81XXs first. The 83 and 84 hundreds are the best anyway.
Alec
How’s that?
I believe those all were rebuilt a lot later in their careers than the original SD40-2s. These were all old SD40s or old SD45s. Plus, I personally think they look better, with the original SD40 frame and the Flexicoil trucks with the open wheel barrings look awesome.
Alec
Ahhhh…
I’m not so sure the GEVOs are better then the Dash 9s. Last winter I heard a lot of reports of the GEVOs dying in the cold while the SD70aces had few problems.
According to trainorders.com, CSX is getting 125 ES44AC’s. They will be numbered 700 to 825. I hope the SD40-2’s don’t go. I hope they trade the ex UP SD40-2’s and keep the Seaboard SD40-2’s keep the SBD heritage alive. But my words don’t count to Micheal J. Ward. I have been hearing they don’t care about their heritage.
Kevin
I was wondering why CSX was renumbering their SD70MACs from the 700s to the 4500s. Now I know. Thanks oskar.
they might be leaving csx but the up has them working overtime. fri afternoon at lafox il on the geneva sub here was 2 old and gruby looking sd 40-2 (one only a patch job CNW colors shown thru) on the head end of a very lond bbl stack heading east. at first i thought just a bunch of single stacks but the can the rest of the train and we had 106 dbl stack containers on the back half of the train. lots to see in lafox
conrad
Say, Conrad, you get the number on the CNW patch job? I (along with several others) have been trying to keep tabs on any remaining CNW patches: http://www.fuzzyworld3.com/3um/viewtopic.php?t=673
sorry about that fuzzy I go thru lafox 4 to 5 time a week so i will keep a eye out for you
conrad
ps
these two got the job done but they sure could’t handle much more…
A couple things
As for CP getting rid of their SD40-2s. They are leaving in trickles. NRE has some DM&E/IC&E does, even a few went to South America to be stretched for narrow guage.
As for SD40-2s going to museums. There is already an x-MP SD40-2 in UP paint on display at the Amtrak station in Barstow, CA. It has also been said the CN is aware of the historical signifigance of IC 6071 and will probably be donated upon retirement.
The CSX SD70MACs in the 700s and SD80MACs in the 800s are being renumbered to group all the EMD AC units in the same number series. 4500-74 for the 70s 4590-4602 for the 80’s
The SD40-2s versatility is one of the biggest reasons they are still running strong. You can see them on the stack trains of UP and BNSF, they are the staple of CSX’s Bone Valley operations along side x-EMDX SD70Ms (they replaced GEs), and most every NS local I have seen has x-N&W/SOU SD40-2s. UP, BNSF & IHB use them for hump power de-rated or not.
The builders don’t make a medium (3000hp) locomotives. EMD/GEs are 4300-4500hp, and I have not seen a genset over 2100hp. The reason is probably the large number of reliable SD40-2s still operating on class ones, regionals, short lines and leasing companys. I stopped by VMV Paducah and there appears to be around 100 SD40-2s in storage there so there is plenty to go around.
Well what will/can make an SD40-2 more emissions compliant? Will that ‘bottleneck’ keep them from lasting forever or will they eventually get replaced somehow by derated newer engines?
mark
i can’t get to your fuzzy world so i will get the info to you this was.
patched cnw up # 3028 east bound with another up sd-40 on a short dbl stack.
conrad
I think the SD40-2s will be around for a while. I would really like to see one of those new GEVO try and switch around here. I don’t think so. (Not saying the track is bad, just saying that it would be hard) So far I’ve only seen CN send SD40-2s, or SD40-3s. WC SD35 2500 also switched out her for a long time. WC wouldn’t even send a large locomotive like the SD45 out here. They would always send 2500. I just can’t see a GEVO or even an SD70ACe switch on all the little spurs. Unless they want to upgrade allot of track.
Ok, I know you SD40-2 fans will love this. It isn’t CSX, and wctransfer has probably seen this a couple times. But I thought this was a lucky catch. I took the pic on July 10 2007.
I also have 2 photos of pure IC SD40-2 lash ups. I got a photo of WC SD40-2 6004 leading an SD40-3. I have a photo of a GTW Grey Goast(SD40-3) leading a IC SD40-2. I have one of a WC Grey Goast (SD40-3) leading a IC SD40-2. I have picture of a IC locomotive leading a CN locomotive. I have a picture of a SD40-2 CN/GTW repaint. I have a photo of a CN/IC repaint. I also have a couple pictures of the WC Grey Goasts. (SD40-3s) I won’t bother to show them here because it’s not CSX. Anway I don’t think the SD40-2s will gone from CN for a long time.
I think that if a road were to replace the locos with something newer (not sure what!) they would likely keep the ‘stored’ units in close enough operating condition that they could be reactivated in short order. I think that w/o the SD40-X series locos RRs in the US would be in rough shape! Per my previous post I still wonder how often they can be updated/operated in light of more restrictive emissions requirements.
from what I’ve heard the 8800’s will put some SD40-2W’s on the chopping block
That looks like an old CP unit.
this one was leading yesterday 8.9.07 , CSX 8888.
