It's an Indiana Harbor Belt loco (IHB), it looks like one of the ICG paducah SD rebuilds, these are real freaky conversions...some were ex Southern high hood SD24's, chopped nose, new cab & section behind it as well....I think they called them SD20-2? This is a (not particularly clear) shot I got in Chicago back on my 2000 trip. I think they moved the short hood & cab forward to accept a -2 electrical section, note the anticlimber as otherwise you wouldn't get around the nose! ICG/Paducah, you deserve a "were not worthy" for your kitbashing efforts! HTH
This Locomotive is an SD20 Model. The IHB or Harbor has about 3 of these units. I believe these are rebuilt Conrail Locos. These are the highest HP on the roster (along with the GP38s). SWs are by far the most numerous on the system. However the Harbor believes 1 SD20 can pull a 100 car autorack train to BNs Clyde yard, which they do every night about 11 pm. Yes that was ONE hundred cars......loaded.
I'm gonna told you a story 'bout the IHB. About three-four years back, I'm working this afternoon commuter job and we are a westbound trip, and its already nighttime. A passenger stops me and asks me "What was that railroad we passed over just before the last stop?" The last stop was La Grange Rd so the railroad was the "Indiana Harbor Belt". "Never heard of it!" the feller sez! I explained to him that it was a very busy terminal switching railroad. "Never heard of it!" he sez again. I just said "OK" and moved on. I guess because he never heard of it, that it doesn't exist! Or so it would seem to me
Charlie, did you ever see railfans at CP 1355 or Stone Ave? I biked to both those places all the time.
This one was in Sugar Land, Texas last week. Brand new paint job. Was it comming from the shop in San Antonio that does historical restorations and bound for a museum somewhere?
Sure doesn't look like a museum piece. Could they have contracted out some rebuilding so far away? Boxcab E50
Nope not museum, its heading back to home rails.....its their new paint scheme. Check out this months Trains, it has a pic of some of their units in that scheme.
I agree with Martyn, that these are ICG rebuilds of Southern SD-24's. The IHB has been very active purchasing rebuilt used units lately, Including SD-38, SD-39, SD-40 and -2 and GP 40-2'S, including one ex Southern Pacific GP-40-2P, with it's flared radiators and steam generator housing in the squared off rear carbody end. Jimmy
