A quick google search pulled up this website. It claims SOO bought 6411 in February 1988.
On rrpicturearchives, there are 8 photos of SOO 6411. I believe the earliest photo was taken on 4/29/88, when the locomotive was patched out. Sometime between 5/22/88 and 6/1/90 it was repainted in the SOO paint scheme.
Now, there is a picture of SOO 6411 supposedly taken on 1/1/88. The date on this photo is incorrect as the locomotive was in SOO colors in that photo, and later photos show SOO 6411 patched out. Plus the photo appears to have been taken in the summer. I believe this phot was taken in late summer of 88 or possible in 89 or later. I would suspect SOO 6411 was painted in SOO colors in summer of 89, or maybe a year earlier.
The locomotive was photographed once in the MK patchout on 8/28/86. It was next photographed with the SOO patchout on 4/29/88. I couldn't pin down the month using rrpicturearchives. Edit: please see post below.
I looked in several books and could not get a date, unfortunately.
That unit was rebuild by MK and leased to the SOO for several months. Evidently, they liked the unit and decided to purchase it. I have seen photos from 88 with it patched prior to the red/white repaint so Mikes information is correct.
The 6400 series was a used for all their second hand power. The 5 ex KCS SD40s, 5 ex ICG SD40As, the Chessie 6411, the ex BN SD40B and 2 ex BN SD45s.
Jim
I loved watching the SOO. Before they moved to the MILW double track, as a kid on grandpa's farm, and the line of GP7's and 9's (along with an occasional F unit) hauling freight. From what I can gather, MK sold it to the SOO in Feb. of 88, and transferred over to SOO's parent CP in April of 88. It was then rebuilt to a SD40-3, painted for the CP and renumbered 6096. Somewhere along the time line after this, DM&E aquired it and is still in service on the CP.
Don't know how accurate all this is, but I read this in a Yahoo group that I check into once and a while.
Mike.
My You Tube
does anyone know the correct month of 1987 that the Soo obtained SD40 #6411? thank you, michael.