What's your favorite SD?

[Anonymous]

I think my new favorite would have to be an SD80MAC in the Conrail Quality or CSX Lightning bolt scheme. The SD40-2 and the SD70M take a close second.

[ckape]

If I could tell EMD what to do I'd make them build a locomotive with the long hood of an SD90MAC-H and the cab and nose of the early SD90MAC. But then since this poll doesn't count variants and they're the same major model number, I just said SD90.

[SD40-2W]

Canadian National SD40-2W

[jabrown1971]

Wow there are a lot of votes for SD 70, 80 and 90's.......all very impressive and fuel efficient. The SD45 was neat-CNW's without dynamics-the originals-not the ones from Conrail, N & W SD45's long hood forward and the C & O-Chessie-INRD SD18's were all fine. But nothing beats the IT's SD39's. Big and green, they could have easily been the best camouflage diesels built for civilian service.

[Anonymous]

Probably the SD9. An Athearn SD9 in SP paint was the first US loco I bought back in 2001, and it's proved to be one of the best of my fleet. From new, it showed none of the Athearn growling noises and will creep slowly enough to count the splines on the driveshafts. I have yet to add extra detail parts though I have every intention of doing so when I find a supplier. This loco is used on everything from commuter services to switching on my layout - I also intend to buy a few of the new Walthers SP Bilevels when they arrive at my LHS to run with it as I hear the SP used their SD9s in commuter service?

[Anonymous]

SD-70M. Its big. Its heavy. And its cab is so well designed. This is one modern unit that is okay by me.

[jrbernier]

I voted for the SD7 - it was the 1st SD. A close second is the SD45. The body filled up the frame, it had those flaired radiators ,and more HP than anything else at the time - the 'Muscle Car' of locomotives in that era.

Jim Bernier

[Anonymous]

Toss up between the SD45 (something about those radiators says "power") and the SD35 (remember the CNJ units when I was a kid).

[twhite]

Here I am a steam fan and you ask me a question like THAT? Seriously, I have no idea what the designation was, but what the SP and Rio Grande termed 'Tunnel Motors' was, I think, about the handsomest freight diesel I ever saw. Don't ask me why, I can't explain it, but they reminded me of Articulateds. And they looked RIGHT in the mountains, which is something I can't really say about most diesels. So, Tunnel Motors--whatever their designation--it is, for me.

[Anonymous]

Hmm...too tough to choose only one. Here are just a few of my favorites:

BN SD40C (bulging SD45 hood looks awesome on it)

SD40-2 (in Rock Island red and yellow)

Reg cab SD50s, 60s, and 70s

BNSF SD39

SD75M

[3railguy]

The SP SD 40 Snoot tunnel motor is my favorite of all but not on the list. I just love the look. A sleek nose and big rear end. The snoot is followed by the CB&Q SD-24 because of all the pipes and stuff on the roof.

[railman]

I was waiting for that SD39....but either way the SD-9 recieved my vote.

[Anonymous]

Erie Lackawanna version SD45-2

[Anonymous]

It's a little off topic, but my favorite SD is not a locomotive, but my Ensoniq SD1 synthesizer, as I hold down the keyboard chair in my church's worship band. However, since we're talkin' trains here, I have a soft spot for a pair of Erie Lackawanna SD45's (in numerical order, of course) cruising along the Delaware River with a UPS trailer train.