I saw an ex-Trona Railray SD45-2 today. It had the Trona painted over and HLCX stenciled on it. I wonder when they sold it (or returned it to the lessor) and how many. I remember hearing they bought a Southern Pacific SD40T-2 and SD40R and some UP SD40-2s. I wonder if they are replacing their SD45-2s with SD40-2s.
Don’t know, either, but that would be a smart move on their part.
I don’t know how much of this information is correct (all of it I was able to check out is).
I pulled out the May 1993 issue of Pacific Rail News and read the article about Trona Railway. Appearent the SD45-2s were leased from Helm leasing and were rebuilt as SD40-2s. I guess Helm and Trona could not come to an agreement for renewing the lease.
It’s a shame to see the Trona painted units going away… I never did get a good shot of a road train with all Trona power. Now they’re pretty much down to the usual ex this, patched that, units like so many other shortlines. In the shortline sparse zone of SoCal, the Trona was always fun to check out.
Dave
Los Angeles, CA
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