Here in the heat of the Pilbara, BHPBIO have 16, 40yr old 2nd hand (ex UP and SP) SD40's working mainline (slaves) and 4 as yard shunt locos. There are 15 SD40R (ex SP) and 5 SD40-2 (ex UP)and 1 SD40T-2 (ex SP) used for spares.
They have their issues, but considering their age and the >50 temperatures in summer, they do an exceptional job.
In the yard, one SD40 will normally, haul loaded rakes of between 106 - 112 iron ore cars, weighing in excess of 15000 tonne.
On the mainline they are normally teamed up with either 1xSD70Ace LC or 1xGE AC6000 or if with a Dash 8 there are normally 2xSD40's
Mainline train nowadays are either 212 or 318 cars long, with the locomotive consists, of either 4 (212 cars) or 6 (318) depending on locotrolled.
This means the loco consists are on the head of each 106 car rake, and are controlled by radio link from the front loco. All trains are 1 man operated, all mainline locos with exception of 40's have ATP (Automatic Train Protection) fitted
200 car train weighs in at around 30000 tonnes, and 300 car 45000 tonnes.
If you are interested in checking out pictures and stats go to :www.railways.pilbara.net.au
Check out BHP Billiton
nsrayman wrote: here is one that is 40 years old , it was in active service until it was retired earlier this year.
here is one that is 40 years old , it was in active service until it was retired earlier this year.
ya know your old when a Diesel built the year your born is retired.....and someone makes a big deal about it
According to wikipedia, the SD40 outsold the SD45 by fifteen locomotives. 1260 vs. 1275.IIRC, the SD45 sold better in the beginning of the 645 production run, while the SD40 sold better in the second half and caught up and surpassed the SD45 when the crankshaft failures and fuel consumption became an issue.
Boomer Red wrote: I've heard before that the original SD40 units (built prior to GM starting the Dash2 line) were not that popular, and that the reason was they suffered from problems related to wheel slip. I also heard that CP Rail was so disapointed with their units that they started buying the C630Ms from MLW to replace them. Are there any diesel experts that can shed some light on these issues and add any other information!
wctransfer wrote: I wouldnt say that they werent popular. Quite a few people bought them. Heres a few that come off the top of my head,GTW,DWP,CN,CP,ACR,SOO,PRR,B&O,C&O,WM,CNW,CGW,CB&Q,UP,SP,KCS,ATSF,GM&O,BN,DE,IC,L&N,MP,PC and SOU.Not a bad group IMO.
I wouldnt say that they werent popular. Quite a few people bought them. Heres a few that come off the top of my head,
GTW,DWP,CN,CP,ACR,SOO,PRR,B&O,C&O,WM,CNW,CGW,CB&Q,UP,SP,KCS,ATSF,GM&O,BN,DE,IC,L&N,MP,PC and SOU.
Not a bad group IMO.
1100 units for USA and Canada not counted export models.
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