On locophotos I found a pic taken back in the 1970s of an irregular-looking SP SD45 #8937. This engine is unusual in that it has a sheet covering the area from atop the radiators to the side hand railing. Probably an attempt by SP to shield the exhaust while going through tunnels, like their Dash2 tunnel motors.
Yes those are elephant ears. The Espee had a dozen of them working the hill above Roseville in 1970-71 on test. Three of the SD45X locomotives were also fitted with ears to test cooling concepts. The testing led to the development of the tunnel motor concept. See Richard Percy’s website at http://espee.railfan.net/spsd45t-1.html to read about the Espee SD45s with ears. And http://espee.railfan.net/spsd45x.html for data on the SD45Xs.
I saw one running through Commerce, TEXAS in 1972 so they did stray after the testing was over.
Ed
I have a Charles Smiley video about the SP showing the last of these sitting in Tucson, Arizona, awaiting scrapping. The shrouds were to help cool air intake instead of sucking exhaust gasses into the engine compartment in tunnels.
According to the video’s narrative, most of the shrouds were later removed.
CP Rail also had a couple units like this, but I’m not sure how many or how long they lasted. All I can tell is that apparantly they didn’t think it was worth it!
Well that’s different. That makes it official for me, SP was the most creative railroad.
Canadian Pacific had two SD40-2s that were equipped with elephant ears. Here’s one of them: http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=49012 Stan
Welcome to the forum, Stan.
I’m guessing Brain Ambrose was right behind you, when he took the picture on page 19 of the October 1982 Trains.
I forget exactly where Brian was standing, he was around somewhere. I ran into that guy everywhere. I’d get out of the car, and there he was. I’d get back in the car, and there he was again. I couldn’t get rid of him. 