Will CP + NS Happen?

[Scottl]

Heh, I wouldn't give them too much credit for planning. They grabbed a lot of cheap used power during the crude boom (the 2000's, 2100's and 5400's) and now are in a surplus position. It is nice to hear that the 5500's are going into storage in a planned manner (stacks capped, et al), so when needed they should return. CN floggs their power to death, so it is notable that they're storing them properly.

On that note, the rumour is that the SD70M-2's in the 8800-8964 series are to be stored upon engine failure once the warranty expires. If true, I wonder if this is more of a bargaining tactic as EMD Tier 4 demo's are going to be testing on CN.

Also, for those keeping score, CP is now effectively SD40-2 free. There are 7 units active, all at Mpls... 6 in hump service, one as a PTC test unit. CP's first SD40's were delivered in 1966, and it is strange to imagine them without their staple for the past 50 years.

After EMD walked from London, I certainly hope CN is done once and for all with them.

I hope none of these power changes are permanent or else I might have to fix my modelling at 2015-16 when the power mix was about as diverse as it ever was.  Replacing everything with GEVOs sounds a bit boring.

[lock4244]

After EMD walked from London, I certainly hope CN is done once and for all with them.

I hope none of these power changes are permanent or else I might have to fix my modelling at 2015-16 when the power mix was about as diverse as it ever was.  Replacing everything with GEVOs sounds a bit boring.

Wait until GE announces they're closing Erie in a few years time.

[Missaberoad]

Wow. That's wild.

I hope a few have found their way into preservation. I'm so afraid that they're going to be the next E7s.

CP's first SD40 5500 is preserved in Revelstoke BC. There was plans to preserve the first Dash 2 5565 in Ottawa but it wound up being sold to Progress Rail. 
http://www.mountainrailway.com/Roster%20Archive/CP%205500/CP%205500-4.jpg

Its funny how many SD45s are in museums now and how few 40s (and f40phs for that matter)

I am a big fan of the SD30eco rebuilds that CP has tho...
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=574215&nseq=4

[Ed Kapuscinski]

CP's first SD40 5500 is preserved in Revelstoke BC. There was plans to preserve the first Dash 2 5565 in Ottawa but it wound up being sold to Progress Rail. 
http://www.mountainrailway.com/Roster%20Archive/CP%205500/CP%205500-4.jpg

Its funny how many SD45s are in museums now and how few 40s (and f40phs for that matter)

I am a big fan of the SD30eco rebuilds that CP has tho...
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=574215&nseq=4

Those rebuilds do look pretty ok to me too. But I think that's exactly why there are so few SD40s and SD40-2s in preservation. They're all still out their working in one guise or another.

[Lenny53]

It is nice to hear that the 5500's are going into storage in a planned manner (stacks capped, et al), so when needed they should return.

There's a rumour the 550os will be put up for sale.   

[Missaberoad]

But I think that's exactly why there are so few SD40s and SD40-2s in preservation. They're all still out their working in one guise or another.

A little more digging revealed that UP has preserved at least two SD40-2s one former CNW at Union IL and one former MP at Pamona CA.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4248476
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3836591

Funny how we're holding the 40 series in regard when the people chasing the last F units in the early 80's hated them, and the people chasing the last steam locomotives hated the F units...  Should be fun chasing the last dash 9s in 2030

[lock4244]

Those rebuilds do look pretty ok to me too. But I think that's exactly why there are so few SD40s and SD40-2s in preservation. They're all still out their working in one guise or another.

In any case where the preserved locomotive is left out to rust, I've always felt it better to scrap it now... undignified to watch them slowly rust in place. We will be seeing the SD40-2 out in the field for some time yet, and that is the best place to catch them... in their natural habitat. Heh, we need a 'Hinterland who's who' on the SD40-2... com'on NFB!

As an aside, I know a number of younger foamers who look at the SD40-2 in the same light as those in my age group see ALCO and MLW locomotives, and those a decade or two older than I might view covered wagons. It's an interesting perspective, and when I show these greenhorns a shot of CN GP40-2L's or CR SD40-2's I they react the same way I do looking at shots of C424's from the 70's. Heh, if you see a throng of young railfans trackside, you can bet an SD40-2 is approaching.

[lock4244]

There's a rumour the 550os will be put up for sale.   

If a buyer appears, it'd only be to part them out. That sucks... not only because the drapers are a nice catch, but they are pretty much the last stand of the zebra scheme 

It's funny, everything I hear about the 5400's is bad or worse... crews do not regard them very highly. These former Oakways were flogged to death in coal service and I'm told they show it.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh, I forgot about the SD40-2 traded for the Big Boy. That thing looks sharp.

And yep, it's true, I'm not even that young and I get excited when I see one. I mean, hell, who would've thought that we'd have CHASED a pair of SD40-2 helpers on the NS Pittsburgh line, but yep, we did... http://railfanning.kapuscinski.net/2014/09/fall-2014-middle-division-trip-part-2-sunday/

[Robbman]

The first SD40s for Southern and N&W will be perserved

[jmarley76]

I am a big fan of the SD30eco rebuilds that CP has tho...
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=574215&nseq=4

That GP22ECO behind the SD30 is a nifty thing, too. Dynamic brake fans look like a GP59/60...

[jmarley76]

Thought it would be good to link to this topic as it continues this discussion...

Pershing Square to exit railroading
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=39753.0)