SPW 3651 information sought

[catweasel]

My buddy in Parkersburg saw a red and yellow locomotive with large lettering "SPW 3651" and a lightning bolt symbol in blue on the side. Can anyone tell me anything about this loco? I live in the UK and am pretty new to American railroading so would be grateful for any information.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure, but it sounds like a "lease locomotive". There are many companies here in the USA that purchase older locomotives and lease them out to railroads that need extra power. The paint job you describe doesn't sound like anything on the major RR,s here. However, you didn't say if it was on a major RR, perhaps it was a "shortline"?

Todd C.

[catweasel]

Thanks Todd. The loco was spotted in one of the CSX yards at Parkersburg, WV. A friend here has suggested it may have been a GE U25 in Daylight colours as some were painted in that scheme. I gather that they were used to provide heating in some trains. It may well be in non-SP ownership now. It is the 'W@ in the lettering that I find confusing. What does it stand for? I hope my buddy has his camera with him if he ever sees it again. Happy railroading.

Dave H.

[Anonymous]

GE U-25 B in daylight colors? THAT rings a bell with me! I'll have to do some digging, but I recall many years ago, SP had a few U-25's re-engined with Sulzer diesels and they were painted in a Daylight like scheme. There was a short article on them in Railfan magazine. I don't remember the exact issue, but I have it here somewhere. I would have assumed these would have all been scrapped by know, but you never know....
If memory serves, in the rebuild, they acquired a taller hood, extending across the top of the cab, looking somewhat like a GP-30.
Todd C.

[catweasel]

My buddy advises me that the locos were very big, bigger than the EMD SD70AC which frequent the Parkersburg yards. He particularly noted that they were very wide. Perhaps this could explain the 'W' following the SP lettering? So far, no-one else seems to have a clue.

Dave

[Anonymous]

Well, if they are bigger than an SD-70, then I have no idea what they might be.... sorry...
Todd C.

[Anonymous]

As a last guess, perhaps they were the MK-5000c
units? But I don't recall them being painted in the daylight colors..

[Anonymous]

I doubt that the MK-5000 is the unit in question. Last I knew, they were in service on the UTAH railway. I think, judging by description, that what we are talking about is a "TES-70..something"
that were SP rebuilds of U-25-B's. Only 4 were done, and weren't well liked by SP. I do not have hard facts to back this up, but that is my thinking. (Dave Lustig, are you reading this?)Give us your insight.
Todd C.

[oltmannd]

I could find nothing in UMLER (the AARs equipment register) for a SPW 3651 or anything similar. There was no equipment at all with initials "SPW". Can you verify the init and number?

-Don