SD40-2 / SD45-2

[Anonymous]

Just when I was all sure of myself being able to identify MOST locomotives by sight, this happens.
While down at the U.P. yard today here in Salina, KS (which when I think about it, has quite alot to offer - street running, a turntable that's used every day, cabooses, & lot's of varied power-everything from GP7's & U-Boats to SD90MAC's & AC600CTE's)I spied a lash-up of what I thought was a SD40-2 & a SD45-2. But upon closer inspection I found that I was half right.
The SD40-2 was indeed that but with a R designator (SD40-2R).The SD45-2 proclaimed itself to ALSO be a SD40-2 even though it had the (I thought) immistakable flaired air intakes of a SD45-2 (not counting the new SD70's).
So after ALL THAT, my questions are:
a. What does the R denote?
b. What's up with a SD40-2 looking like a SD45-2?
The road #'s by the way were U.P. 3559(SD40-2R) & U.P. 4736(SD40-2).
I looked up 4736 on U.P.'s locomotive roster at their web-site & it says 4736 is indeed a SD40-2.
Can someone PLEASE help!!???
Most confused in Kansas,
Matt

[Soo2610]

I may be way off base, but my guess is that the r indicates a rebuilt locomotive.

[Anonymous]

Kinda what I thought also.
I've seen & know what A,AC,B,C,F,I,M,PH,& T are but not R.
Matt

[Anonymous]

UP has rebuilt many SD45, SD45-2, SD40 and SD39 units to SD40-2 standards including a 16-645E3 prime mover/generator set and electronics. These units include ex SP, D&RGW, N&W, CN&W and other units by way of leasing companies. The UP 4736 by my records Was SP 9137, built 01-70. As for the UP 3559, (built 03-79 as the UP 3559) I cannot find anything specific. Generaly the R indicates an upgrade type of rebuild, ie, SD40 to SD40R, in which updated components are incorporated to bring the unit to more current standards.

[Anonymous]

Matt, back in the '50s, the R=rebuilt, M=modified and U=updated. I'm sure that has'nt changed that much today.

Neal

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info guys!!
I guess it just goes to show, you can't tell the players without a program!!;)
Matt

[Anonymous]

And on the subject of identification, I believe the SD45-2 did not have flaired radiators. It had very long radiators but not flaired, with more space between cooling fans, and rode on HT-C trucks instead of the standard Flex coil truck of the SD45. One exception was the SD45X which had the HT-C trucks and flaired radiator but had 4 cooling fans. Most of what you see today on Class 1 railroads that look like SD45's have been modified to SD40-2 standards as stated eariler. MRL, IMRL and WC still have standard SD45's and to add to confusion, some of those have been modified to SD45-2 standards but keeping the flaired radiators and standard trucks! Having said that, you never know.

[favuprailroadfan]

Hey Matt,

My name is Dru. This is my first time on here. I live down here in McPherson. I understand what you are saying. Sometimes I will go down to the tracks here in town, and see some of the weirdest engines. Just right along with what you are talking about. The deal with the SD40-2R, I believe that those are the old SP MK rebuilds back from the 90's. So the SP gave them the R on the end of their type. THey were in the 8594-8706 series. Those engines are from many type of designations. Those also used old GP40-2P frames for the rebuilds also. I have a book of old SP units. Right me back, and maybe we can discuss this further.
Laters, Dru A. Schott

[Anonymous]

matt, the R is indeed a sign of a rebuild, it was part of UP's "life extension" program and was more than likely rebuilt at North Little Rock at the Jenks shop. as for the other unit, of the 45's except for IMRL,WC a few others, have had the original 20 cylinder engine removed and a 16 cyl 645 put in it's place, thus making it an SD-40-2. It just still has the outward look of a 45. a large number of these rebuilds are running around on the UP as they inhereted a whole bunch of these units that were rebuilt by Morrison-Knudson for the SP.