So how long before GP-50s begin to be de-turboed and become GP38s. UP seems to be doing this already with GP40s. GP50s should be getting near the end of their lease life, and from what I read aren’t as worthy in mainline service as GP60s are. It would seem to make them cheaper when they get to second hand service as they were troublesome when they first came out, or was that pretty much solved with de-powering.
I’m just amazed UP still has straight GP 40’s to depower. I figured a big company like them would have traded them long ago for bigger and better power, leaving them with GP40-2’s, of course there was a picture the other day of one of the old Omaha-rebuilt SW’s in Peoria, Il.
NS is already making this conversion to a “GP38-3” at Juniata Shops. This is part of the GP38/GP38AC rebuilding program. They are also switching control stands in the ex-Southern/N&W units for short hood forward operation as part of the process.