All right, I know that the SD45 locomotive wasn't the best in the world (have heard multiple stories about the engines breaking their own crankshafts), but I know that CSX at least rostered a few, and through my searches online, I've yet to find if they still have any in service, and this would include SD40s in SD45 shells. I haven't seen one up close, and was kind of curious as to if there were any still in service on CSX's rails?
Any help on this one would be appreciated.
"Pure" SD45's and SD45-2's appear to be gone from the CSX roster. There are several SD45's rebuilt into SD40's in the 8400 series that may still be in service.
Ok, so would these SD45s still retain their flared radiators, or were they rebuilt to look more like conventional SD40's?
BamaCSX83 Ok, so would these SD45s still retain their flared radiators, or were they rebuilt to look more like conventional SD40's?
I beleive that the only converted SD45s on CSX's roster are converted SD45-2s which would have an enlongated radiator, but it would not be flared.
BamaCSX83 All right, I know that the SD45 locomotive wasn't the best in the world (have heard multiple stories about the engines breaking their own crankshafts), but I know that CSX at least rostered a few, and through my searches online, I've yet to find if they still have any in service, and this would include SD40s in SD45 shells. I haven't seen one up close, and was kind of curious as to if there were any still in service on CSX's rails? Any help on this one would be appreciated.
There are no SD45's or SD45 carbodies on the CSX roster. The last SD45 was retired in the early 1990's.
There are no pure SD45-2's on the CSX roster. There are 4 SD40-2's which were rebuilt from SD45-2's, They are CSX #2422 and 2423 and CSX #8886 and 8889. #8886 and 8889 are former Erie Lackawanna units with the extra large fuel tank.
There were a number of SD45's which were used as core units for the 50 SD40-2's rebuilt by Morrison Knudsen in the early 1990's, CSX #8439-8488. However, these units had the original SD45 carbody with flared radiators replaced with a newly manufactured hood identical to that of an SD40. Likewise these units had the cab and shorthood relocated on the frame to bring everything to the same specification as an SD40. The only tell tale physical difference is the rear brack stand at the end of the hood. The units rebuilt from SD45 cores have tapered sides on the brake stand while SD40 core units are a more standard rectangular shape.
Bryan Jones
It’s kind of strange that the rebuilder went to the expense of fabricating new long hoods for the former SD45 -turned SD40 - rebuilds. In contrast, most of Southern Pacific’s SD40M-2 rebuilds retained their original SD45 long hoods with it’s distinctive flared radiators.
http://espee.railfan.net/spsd40m-2.html
There are some CITX former UP SD45's that were rebuilt to SD40M-2's that retained their flared radiators.
thanks all, this really helps me keep a tab on the various engines that I need to try to keep tabs on as the BullSheet and dieselshop don't always keep info up....
Lyon_Wonder It’s kind of strange that the rebuilder went to the expense of fabricating new long hoods for the former SD45 -turned SD40 - rebuilds. In contrast, most of Southern Pacific’s SD40M-2 rebuilds retained their original SD45 long hoods with it’s distinctive flared radiators. http://espee.railfan.net/spsd40m-2.html
no, it really isn't strange at all. The CSX order specification required that all 50 units be identical and have an SD40 equipment layout. The cab and its sub-base on the SD45 cores had to be cut off and repositioned on the frame to bring it in line with the SD40 specification. Its all about standardization. There were a lack of SD40 core units available at the time so that resulted in the 15 units cobbled together from former SD45's.
The SP order was much looser in its specification, requiring a locomotive mechanically equivalent to an SD40-2. While the 133 units were similar in that all were rebuilt to an SD40-2 specification there were still a number of differences within the group. You had some units which were an SD40 carbody, others that were an SD45 carbody. There were a group of 10 units rebuilt from SD45's but had the flared radiator section replaced with a standard radiator section from a GP40 due to a need for the flared radiators on another project. Then there were the 6 SDP45 core units. While SP could have required that all units meet a specific standard configuration this ultimately would have cost more.
Bryan JonesThere are no pure SD45-2's on the CSX roster.
You mean, SD45-2 number 8954 is finally gone? Say it isn't so! D:
No longer on the active roster.
The Railwolf Bryan Jones: There are no pure SD45-2's on the CSX roster. You mean, SD45-2 number 8954 is finally gone? Say it isn't so! D:
Bryan Jones: There are no pure SD45-2's on the CSX roster.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
no, it was retired. It is now at the REDI Center in Atlanta,GA and used for training purposes.
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