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Georgia Southwestern 4003 - SD40 or SD40-2?

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Georgia Southwestern 4003 - SD40 or SD40-2?
Posted by SchemerBob on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 6:34 PM

I'm curious as to what type of locomotive GSWR 4003 is: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1341972

On RRPicture Archives they list it as an SD40, but on RailPictures it's listed as an SD40-2. From the pictures of the engine, I can't determine whether it has the "porches" of the -2 or not. Can anyone clarify what type of engine this is?

Long live the BNSF .... AND its paint scheme. SchemerBob
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Posted by trainfan1221 on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 6:46 PM
It is an SD40-2.  Other spotting features to look for are the extended dynamic brake blister and the HT-C trucks.
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Posted by trainfan1221 on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 6:50 PM
Although I have to admit it has a few non dash 2 features, such as the battery box covers and I can't tell if the back roof of the cab is extended or not.  I would say it could be a modified SD40 but I don't believe it could have those types of trucks.  I am going to guess it might be a former CNW unit as it looks like there used to be a bell on the nose.
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Posted by edbenton on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 10:27 PM

For sure that is a Dash-2 The corrugated grill was not introduced til 1977 also the Battery Box covers are interchangable on the 40 and 40-2. 

Always at war with those that think OTR trucking is EASY.
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Posted by beaulieu on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 11:47 PM
HTC truck under the front, and a Flexicoil C truck under the rear. The radiator grilles can be changed too. I think it is a former d/b equipped former UP nee MP unit. Former 6000 series locomotive.
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Posted by oltmannd on Thursday, October 9, 2008 4:22 AM

They are both HTCs - note the 3 holes in the frame.  Looks like the center axle snubber is missing, tho'.  HTCs and Flexicoils aren't interchangeable - they fit different diameter center pins. 

It's a Dash 2 for sure.

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

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Posted by SchemerBob on Thursday, October 9, 2008 9:01 AM
Thanks a lot guys, I learned a little more about how to tell the differences in these units! Big Smile [:D]
Long live the BNSF .... AND its paint scheme. SchemerBob
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Posted by silicon212 on Thursday, October 9, 2008 12:07 PM

Definitely a Dash Two.  One more spotting feature that you can just see in the RRPictureArchives photo is the slight 'overhang' of the roof of the cab, behind the cab.

Looks like a former CNW unit - look at the front of the short hood where the gong used to be.

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Posted by WSOR 3801 on Thursday, October 9, 2008 3:32 PM

Looks more like a former headlight location on the nose.  The CNW gong location would be smaller. Not sure if CNW bought any in the wheel handbrake/corrugated grill area.  They did have some with 81" nose and wheel handbrake, looked different, the wheel was very close to the front of the hood.

Radiator grillles can be changed out.  Soo-CP has changed out quite a few on older GP38s and GP40s.  

Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com

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Posted by trainfan1221 on Thursday, October 9, 2008 6:28 PM
 silicon212 wrote:

Definitely a Dash Two.  One more spotting feature that you can just see in the RRPictureArchives photo is the slight 'overhang' of the roof of the cab, behind the cab.

Looks like a former CNW unit - look at the front of the short hood where the gong used to be.

I'm glad you saw it, I couldn't tell if there was the overhang or not.
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Posted by MILW205 on Friday, October 10, 2008 9:13 AM

SD40-2: it has 8 long and 4 short handrail stanchions.  The SD40 has 8 long and 3 short ones.

Agree with WSOR 3801 that it's not ex-CNW...my guess is ex-Espee

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Posted by beaulieu on Friday, October 10, 2008 12:58 PM

This GSWR SD40-2 is the former UP SD40-2 3904 which is the former MP 6004

GSWR 904

 

My guess is that GSWR 4003 is the former GSWR 904 or a sister locomotive.

All Espee SD40-2 types had the tunnel radiator configuration so this can't be ex-SP.

In addition to a few MP SD40-2s, most KCS SD40-2s, and a few L&N SD40-2s used signal lights in the nose like this locomotive.

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Posted by MILW205 on Thursday, October 16, 2008 2:33 PM

beaulieu

 

All Espee SD40-2 types had the tunnel radiator configuration so this can't be ex-SP.

 

 

Nice Catch!!

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