Here's a huge (1024x768) scan from a slide photo I shot of a local crew performing line-side switching. (The image is heavily compressed to keep it below 120kb.) My son and I were out enjoying some sun and warmth today and caught NS 6193 and 6196 switching at Erlanger, KY. The SD40-2s days are numbered.....
Jeff, Nice picture! It's hard to believe that the SD40-2's may be leaving the rosters before too long ! (I caught one flat switching Pomona (Greensboro) a while back).I guess time flies when you're having fun. Harold
I think the SD40-2 is the last unit that EVERY class one had thats idenical. If you'll look at rosters you'll noticed that every unit since has not been owned by All th class ones. even the SD70M (CP dosent have any)
Well, the 40-2 days may be numbered, but we seem to have a good supply of them here in St.Thomas, even the odd 40-2 high hood, ( NS 3296 spotted at St.Thomas on April 5/2001 coupled to 40-2 chop nose 6108 coupled nose to tail in a 4 unit power consist for train 344. John
Here in Decatur,IL there are 40-2's all the time. The yard switches with mostly SD 40's. The C30-7 is the is #1 on the endangered list. Steve
UP is also retiring its older SD40-2s and SD50s, However the ex DRGW SD50s will remain a bit longer due to the original lease deal. At one time most people passed up taking pictures of the 40-2s because the were always around. Wouldn't hurt anyhow to get any SD40-2 picture that you can of any road, remember F units were at one point the "daily power". Duane
It is very difficult to imagine railroads without SD40-2's. They are one of my all-time favourite locomotive types. Will be a while yet before they disappear, though?
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Alan: It is very difficult to imagine railroads without SD40-2's. They are one of my all-time favourite locomotive types. Will be a while yet before they disappear, though?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I too find it hard to believe they might be disappearing, but I think the first SD40-2's are almost 30 years old now (Time flies when you're having fun watchin' trains ). I think with the major roads, they have already long since been bumped from many priority assignments. In fact, last weekend, I saw 3 SD40-2's in town in the CSX yard (which normally sees only GP38-2's or GP40-2's). I guess it is hard to argue with the economics of fleet reductions: 1 C60AC has twice the horsepower of 2 SD40-2's. Will they disappear? I don't know On one hand, there are a lot out there that can be rebuilt/remanufactured and upgraded with microprocessors, etc. and still provide years of service. However, I don't think the secondary market is as strong for these units, since many small or short lines would not purchase them and many large roads are going with new models. The economics of rebuilding or purchasing "remanufactured" units is probably dependent on the tax strategies, financing, etc. that each railroad takes, as well as capacity of the builders to provide new units. It will be interesting to see how this issue turns out. Harold
Harold, there is an INCREDIBLE lease market available for these units. Alstom is the first one to really get it going. Without a doubt, the 645 engine was the best prime mover EMD produced. And those AC60s can't go everywhere. With 3000HP and upgrades to either -2 or -3 standards, we'll be seeing these units for a LONG time to come. The lighter units are still needed on locals, as putting a 6000 on one is just overkill, plus they are too long and too heavy. Until somebody realizes that they need to make a new 3000 HP or so locomotive, the SD40-2 and GP40-2 will hang around.
Cool photo , CN still has plenty of those being used , not bad power at all really . [ 06 April 2001: Message edited by: Davecn5623 ]
I honestly don't see CSX retiring the SD40-2's, as for Norfolk southern, heck they'll retire the SD80MAC if they want too ( ) I agree with Harold. Those Units have no replacements being built. I can see some railroads saving some of the SD40-2's and re/rebuilding them (CSX and some others rebuilt SD40's & called'em -2's)CSX Has hung on to their GP38-2's, so I think the SD & GP40-2's still have at least 10 years left in them (the rebuilt ones) the Mid -2 line of engine from EMD (GP/SD38-2, GP/SD40-2) were probably the most reliable, and best built locomotives ever. those Newer engines from EMD (SD60, SD70's and SD80's) seem to come close, but to no cigar. I heard some not too hot reports about UP's SD90's (43's, nor 6000 upgraded ones.) I wonder what's next from EMD?? SD100MAC???
Well, UP is making the SD70Ms the next SD40-2s, with the 1000 unit order, and the way they are running them. As for the 90s and 90/43s, the 4300s are sorted out and run fine, the true 90s had a lot of problems, mostly worked out, but I guess the still run rough and have a lot of cab noise & shake, not cool for a lead unit. And just think, some roads still run GP9s (1954 delivery) so the 40-2s will run a long time to come. By the way, the difference between a stock 40 and 40-2 (at least on the SDs) are a difference in length (-2 on an SD45 chasis), the watersight glass, and the grilles. Internally, the -2s have a microprocessor, where the regular ones don't. So if an SD40 goes in for a rebuild, it will come out as a -2 internally, as it will get a computer chip, among other things.
Dave Dave Dave Dave......... That one has No Dynamics, thats one of the former UP ones ya guys got..... maybe I should shush, I am only supposed to know bout CP stuff...... Jon
Even though the oldest Dash-2's are nearing 30 years old, I don't think they're all going to disappear anytime soon, just for the sheer fact there are so many of them, and since most of the railroads love them, thanks to their reliabilty and maintainability. They may not catch all the hot assignments, but they should still be around. Also, "stock" Dash-2 units weren't microprocessor equipped, although many "Dash-3" rebuilds feature them, in the form of Woodward CLC or other aftermarket brands. EMD and GE didn't start putting microprocessors in their production units until the GP/SD60 and Dash-8 series, respectively. Paul #3
The problem with the high horsepower units is too much power. The NS dash 9's are 4000 hp and they won't hold the rail. 4000 hp,410,000 lbs,12 wheels. 2 SD40-2 ,375,000lbs each, 24 wheels. The other railroads probibly don't have the troubles we do,were almost always at our tonnage limit. [ 25 April 2001: Message edited by: UPDD40 X ]
Here's a shot from my files, obviously this SD40-2 is on Norfolk & Western heritage (all Southern units had high short hoods ) Harold
Is there a major diference between an SD40- and a CW40- and a D*-40CW ? I mean beside paint and cosmetics.
a C40-8 is the same as a Dash 8-40C - C&NW designated thiers using C40-8 for some unknown reason. As for the differance between a Dash 8 and an SD40, well lets just say all the 2-8-0's look the same to me edit - I assumed you were joking... but if you want to know, the basic differance is that an SD40-2 is make by EMD and a Dash 8 is made by GE. Internally I think they are very similar. Now, interanlly an SD40 is quite differant than an SD40-2 (completly changed electronics) but externally they look very similar. [ 26 April 2001: Message edited by: yankinoz ]
