GP38-2

[AlcoRS11Nut]

I was taking pictures of trains the other day, and on the cab of a Union Pacific locomotive it said it was a GP38-2, but instead of having 2 cooling fans, like on a normal GP38-2, but it had 3 (like a GP40-2). I would just like to know if any other people have seen a locomotive like this, or am I the only one, and if any one could explain this to me?

[Anonymous]

Possibly it ws a "de-turbo'ed" GP40 but then again do the GP38 have the 645 engine? You'd have to check your UP roster.

[Anonymous]

UP does have a number of GP38-2 units rebuilt from GP40s. The 38-2 of course has a 645 engine, but roots blown rather than turbocharged like a 40 series.

[Anonymous]

I think what you saw was a GP40 series unit that was converted to a GP38-2. UP entered into an agreement with Helm to do that to I think around 50 units. Some kept the 3 radiator layout and others whent to 2. Also attmepted was the -3 conversion which brought a computer into play. Last I read was the UP didn't like the -3.

[fuzzybroken]

Wisconsin & Southern has a few of these as well. (I think) 3801 had its middle fan removed, now there's a HUGE gap between the two fans -- looks kinda funny.

Speaking of GP38-2's, I recently started a web page with my pictures of SOO's GP38-2s:
http://www.geocities.com/fuzzybroken/SOO1.html

Thanks!
-Mark Hintz
Milwaukee, WI

[Noah Hofrichter]

Mark, your right the WSOR does. Most of there GP38's have that. I know 3802 does, and 3801, like you said. Maybe 3808 as well, but don't hold me to that one. I'll have to check on that.

Noah

[Anonymous]

It could be anything. I've seen an SD40-2 with SD35 fans!

[fuzzybroken]

I just added three new pictures to my SOO GP38-2 page:
http://www.geocities.com/fuzzybroken/SOO1.html

And check out my new Railroad Photos page:
http://www.geocities.com/fuzzybroken/RR2.html

Enjoy!
-Mark Hintz
Milwaukee, WI

[fuzzybroken]

Back on 7/29, I got a picture of SOO 4445 switching Red Star Yeast in Milwaukee, and got pictures of the "engine in the street". In addition the the "Proud To Be Part Of CP Rail System" decal, there was a GE builders-style sticker on the nose in front of the cab, on the conductor's side (left). Anybody know the story behind this one?



Thanks!
-Mark
http://www.geocities.com/fuzzybroken

[Randy Stahl]

Thats the emissions compliance sticker. The SOO must have done a overhaul on the prime mover and used EMD/GE replacement parts. The line between GE & EMD is getting blurry.
Randy

[mudchicken]

Helm has herds of GP38-3' s running around which are deturboed GP-40's and at least one ex-UP GP50 (HLCX 4300)


OOPS....Shoulda said GP-49x (Unique with the special radiator fans and funky trucks)

[UPTRAIN]

It was a GP38-3 most likely, rebuilt by MK/MPI from former GP40s and leaving the 3 fans, however some have 1 removed.

[fuzzybroken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mudchicken

OOPS....Shoulda said GP-49x (Unique with the special radiator fans and funky trucks)

Shouldn't that be GP40X? So after rebuilding, that would make it... a GP38X-3??? Ugh. [;)]

-Mark
http://www.geocities.com/fuzzybroken

[mudchicken]

yep....still strange to see it wandering around on a low speed/ low density branchline....MY, how the mighty have fallen!

[UPTRAIN]

GP40X didn't have unique radiator fans, they had ordinary Q (quiet) fans that were installed on many post 1980 EMD locomotives for EPA noise reduction acts if I recall correctly. They did however have slanted radiators similar to SD45s and newer SD70M, SD70MAC, and SD70ACe.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, the main spotting feature of the GP-40X were the slanted rads. and the funky Hi-Ad trucks.