I caught some WC units on the CSX recently: Are these "real" SD45's, or are they rebuilt into SD40-2's, etc. ?? Harold
I noticed that the two SD's are different; this unit has black trucks and "number boards" on the rear: Harold
The second unit has silver trucks, and no rear number boards: O.K. experts... what's the lowdown? Harold
Harold, note the differences with the cab windows ... 7507 looks to have a small greenhouse for the engineer to keep his plants healthy Also I wonder why 7505 has a "box" in place of the #3 (from the rear) radiator fan? I read a while back that the WC prefered to buy used SD-45's when they were adding to their fleet. Does anyone have information as to the history of these two units? Knowing who the original owners were might explain the oddball differences. [ 03 February 2002, 14:09: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]
20 cylinder 645E3 engine, 3600 horsepower WC7505, ex 6505, ex,ex NRE6505, ex,ex,ex BN6505 SD45 BLT 6/71 SER# 37113 FR# 5773-8 WC7507, ex 6507, ex,ex NRE6507, ex,ex,ex BN6507 SD45 BLT 6/71 SER# 37115 FR# 5773-10
Dang I wish I could get into diesel locomotives! I seem to be stuck in the age of steam for some reason or another! I know that I'm missing a whole bunch of serious railroading by not enhancing my knowledge of diesel power .. but it's not in me I guess
Nice shots Harold! Good that you caught these now. With the CN/WC merger these units days are certainly numbered. Hank, the "box" on the 7505 is a winterization hatch. It doesn't replace the #3 fan, it actually covers it up. These hatches are used in the winter to divert the warm air that normally would be expelled upward by the fan into the long hood to keep the fluids from freezing. Chris Toth
I confess that I am not up on the WC. I knew they had SD45's, but I did not know if they ever went back and placed the prime movers with 16 cylinder units (or rebuilt them to SD40-2 or SD40-3 standards). If they are both ex-BN units, then I guess they had a truck swap out or ran out of silver paint Harold
Hi, Just as info all of WC's SD45's are still pure SD45's. Both of the units pictured were rebuilt in-kind by the WC, and have Q-Tron microprocessor controls. WC bought sizeable quantites of SD45's from both BN and ATSF, along with other sources. The silver trucks you see originally were under an ATSF unit and wound up not painted black. For awhile we had a unit running around with one black and one silver truck. I recently posted some WC power info in the CN section here at trainboard, and for further info either post away here or visit my website at: WC North American Operations Homepage There you will find a complete roster of all WC power... Hope this helps... George CN WC Division Engineer
George, that's a very nice website that you and Dennis are operating. Also some excellent photography. Thanks
George, that is an excellent website! A very comprehensive survey of WC power and information. Superb
Thank you for the comments. I really haven't had the opportunity to keep up with the site as much as I would like. Eventually the locomotive roster will have a photo for each unit, but the time to work on it just hasn't materialized. The roster is made easier now that there is a "final" WC roster, CN has already begun the purging of older, "non-standard" units. IN exchange for WC GP30's, 35's, and misc oddballs we got IC GP40R's and CN GP38-2's. Tha majority of the SD45's are safe for now; the F45/FP45 fleet has been decimated however with only one F45 left running (6654-still out on the UP paying off HP hours). This should be the LAST F45 operating in the country right now, unless some of the lease units are still going. Ah well. Times they are a'changin. If y'all have any more WC questions fell free to ask, I'm around. -George
I got my new issue of Diesel Era in the mail Friday and guess what? an article on the WC ! Lots of good details and photos. Harold
I have to agree with alan they have a great paint scheme. does Guildford have a similar scheme or did Guildford purchase some of these?
George, You wouldn't remember which unit that was would you? I model the Soo and have a soft spot for the WC and CNW. That would make a very interesting model. If you can remember when it was running around with miss-matched trucks I would love to know. BTW - The Soo Line Historical and Technical Society put out a WC Review magazine inAugust 2001 with the full WC roster in the back. I think it is still available - check www.sooline.org The SD45R's listed come from BN, SLSF, ATSF, SOU, NW and SP. There was a time there where it looked like the WC was trying to buy up every SD45 left in the country!