I just got a new 2006 calendar and in it they give the model variation for most engines in the photographs. Most of them I know but there’s one that I’ve never seen before: “SF30C”. Sometimes there can be more than one name for a cetriain model, but I am really stumped on this one! Does anyone have any idea on what the other names for this engine could be? It’s a BNSF locomotive, #5218. The engine looks just like a Dash 9-44CW.
The SF30Cs were rebuilt GEs that the ATSF made from U36Cs during 1985 and 1986.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/srchThumbs.aspx?srch=sf30c&search=Search
They also did a SF30B.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=10523
The SF30C was a rebuilt U36C they cut the power to 3200HP and updated the internals and controls actually a pretty good engine had the mordern electronics an d were preety reliable. Of course the Cleburne TX shops that did it only gave us the CF-7 and all the rebuilt geeps that Santa Fe. They were the masters of rebuilds better than Paduch on the IC.
SF30B was a U23B on steroids and a few extra pounds added.
Then there was the competition between the shops. Cleburne, San Bernardino, Argentine/Topeka.
SF30C and SF30B were San Berdoo’s product… A lot of those CF7’s and GP9m’s come with Topeka Cabs.