Thankyou both for the very good information you have given me. rambo1....
From Wikipedia:
"Standard GP40-2 production totalled 861 units, with 817 built for U.S. railroads, and 44 for Mexican roads. In addition, three GP40P-2s, passenger versions of the GP40-2, were built for Southern Pacific in 1974, and 279 GP40-2L(W) and GP40-2(W) units, equipped with wide-nosed cabs, were built by General Motors Diesel (GMD), for Canadian National and GO Transit between 1974 and 1976. Of the CN units, 233 were built with a taller and lighter frame to allow for a larger fuel tank. These units were officially classified GP40-2L but are commonly referred to as GP40-2L(W). The balance of CN's fleet, 35 units, and the 11 unit GO Transit fleet, used standard frames and smaller fuel tanks; they are often referred to as GP40-2(W) but are classified as GP40-2. Total production of the GP40-2 and its variations totalled 1,143 units."
GP40-2L rides higher on a CN-designed special lightweight frame, which allowed for a larger fuel tank. Both have the original 4 window Canadian Comfort Cab and were ordered exclusively by CN, who bought nearly 300 (most without dynamic brakes). CN now has only about 40 left, long bumped from the speeds and piggybacks they were bought for, they remain in yard and branchline service. The rest have been sold to shortlines or scrapped.
The best place to see them now is northern alberta on the line from Peace River to High Level. The tri-weekly freight regularly rates a 4 or 5 unit lashup due to heavy lumber, grain and oil traffic and curves/bridges that forbid 6-axle units. I also see them around Edmonton regularly on branchline runs and yard assignments, partnered with a beltpak (remote controlled) GP9 or GP38.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
What is the difference between the two? rambo1..
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