On the Needham Heights commuter rail this morning I saw a locomotive with an FP45 cab and a SD45 body. I _think_ it has 3 axil trucks but I'm not sure as I was stairing at the flaired radiators. I have never noticed these before but I'm sure tey have been around for a long time. What is it? Any pictures? Thanks!
CP's SD45s were standard-nose, and I don't believe CN had any (until they got the ex-WC bunch, that is). I've never head of a widenose SD45. On a commuter run... Did it look like an SD45 body, or an SDP45 body?
CP's 'SD45's' were SD40's rebuilt as SD40-3's (or the like) using 'donated' SD45 bodies. CP never had the SD45 as far as I know. Six axle commuter units? Far and few between. Maybe it was one of MK's rebuilds? Some of those got the flared radiator treatment including the HEP end.
Like this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mbta-comm-rail-porter.jpg ? Also another page with a different pic http://michaeltaylor.ca/US/mbta1115a.html .
Yes! Thanks! ooops, guess it was a 2 axil unit. I'll try to get my own picture tomorrow. Thanks again Nick.
That's a GMD safety cab. Patterned after the early CN units. similiar to the first SD60M's and SD40-2F's. Were these units purchased from GO in Toronto?? grant
Ok, after a very thorough Google, I can't find any more images of a unit with flaired radiators. Are the radiators on these units flaired or is it an optical illusion? Thanks!
That's similar to what I was thinking of, Nick. Ta! Grant, "The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) operates a commuter rail service from various communities to Boston using ex-CNR GP40-2L(W) locomotives rebuilt by AMF in Montreal to class GP40LH-2. They operate in push-pull service with a single level coach at the other end."
Saw these in North Station last month- they have separate Caterpillar diesel engines in the back for HEP. That Cat roars at full throttle- which, when you're used to listening to F40PHs "idling" at the station, ain't too odd. They operated with the locomotive pushing the train into the station, and pulling it out. CUts down on noise considerably in the waiting room that way...........
There was one on my train to Hanson, (due south of Boston) this weekend. I road in the first car behind it just to listen to the engine. I noticed today there is actualy a very small picture of it on the cover of the Plymouth, MA, train schedual. I tried to get a shot of it but it was too dark. I'll keep trying. FriscoBob, "cuts down on noise" and exaust fumes.
