BN SD-40-2's on IC?

[eolafan]

I stopped by Gilman, IL yesterday and saw two SD40-2 units switching near the station. They were IC units in the usual black with white lettering, but what drew my attention was that they had their EMD builder plates missing and the paint under where the plates used to be was BN green. Could these have been ex BN units?

[Anonymous]

I think in the mid 90's BN sold IC a bunch of 40's. They were BN 6700's, some of our first dash-2s, and a lot of us considered them the best. Not ballasted for coal service, they mostly worked general freight and we were glad to have them back then, and sorry the BN chose to part with them. I don't know if it was a sale or a lease return. Seems like the IC even blsnked out the dynamics on some of them!

[Jackflash]

Terry you are correct, I dont remember exactly
when, but it was 7 or 8 years ago the IC did
get some BN SD40s from the BN when they first
came to the IC they were put into service
in their green paint only the BN was blacked
out, then slowly they were re-painted

[eolafan]

Thanks to both for your help.

[REDDYK]

Question is, why are the builders plates taken off? I recently bought a builders plate off a SD 40-2 while visiting the shop at Rochelle. I assumed it had been removed when the unit was scrapped. Are there other times when a plate would routinely be removed?

[eolafan]

I somehow doubt that would happen, most likely a misguided foamer "borrowed" them.

[csxns]

Or an employee woanting extra cash.

[BRAKIE]

Whoa up here one.Not all builder plates are stolen.When I worked on the Chessie and if I wanted a builders plate from a retired unit all I had to do was ask the shop foreman.9 times out of 10 he would say help yourself,those units are going to the scrappers anyhow or he would tell me want units not to take them off of as they was being sold or traded in. I got 3 of my builder plates off of Alcos that was in the process of being cut up at scrap yard...There are many legal ways to get builders plates.

[BRAKIE]

Whoa up here one.Not all builder plates are stolen.When I worked on the Chessie and if I wanted a builders plate from a retired unit all I had to do was ask the shop foreman.9 times out of 10 he would say help yourself,those units are going to the scrappers anyhow or he would tell me which units not to take them off of as they was being sold or traded in. I got 3 of my builder plates off of Alcos that was in the process of being cut up at scrap yard...There are many legal ways to get builders plates.

[eolafan]

Brakie, perhaps you are right in some cases, but these units were in very good shape, with relatively fresh paint and I doubt they are being retired, and while some plates are perhaps given away, I doubt that this is the case here.

[Anonymous]

I wasn't going to reply, but this is too much!!Here's a guy buying a builder's plate at a hobby shop, then wondering why the engines are missing them! How does the hobby shop get them, and don't they look better on the engine where they belong?

[REDDYK]

The clear implication that goes with a legitimate hobby shop displaying very old builders plates for sale would be that the plate in question is from a retired [scrapped] locomotive. For someone to have a builders plate from an active locomotive would indicate that an illegal activity had occured. Only an idiot would steal something the very possession of which would identify one as not only an idiot but a dishonest one as well.
In this case I purchased a SOUTHERN plate,built in 1972, acquired by NS, and presumably since retired. I am endeavoring to learn the circumstances if I can. Would you suggest that the plate should have gone to the scrapper,too?
Or, would it be OK if I look at it from time to time and ponder just where that old SD40-2 has been?