Thursday, May 8, 2008

Great Northern SDP40 - Then and Now

©1972 Kevin Piper

A rarity even when built, EMD's SDP40 totaled only 20 units when production ceased in 1970. The main difference that set them apart was a steam generator added to each unit for passenger train use. Other than that, they were pure 60s Diesel goodness. Kevin Piper took the above photo of Burlington Northern 9855 at Cicero IL in 1972; this was one of six built for the Great Northern as #325. That same unit, now known as BNSF 6327 and seen below in a photo taken by Aaron B. Hockley, was still in service as of 2003 in Vancouver WA.

©2003 Aaron B. Hockley

In January 2008, 6327 was seen in this photo by Steve Welch pulling freight in California:

©2008 Steve Welch

That means this unit has been riding the rails for four decades. It's entirely possible that some of the crews that operate this engine are younger than that.

Talk about longevity and recycling!

Thanks to these three guys for establishing our timeline on a rare unit! Be sure to check out more railfan photos from the trio.

  • Kevin's photos are HERE
  • Aaron's photos are HERE
  • Steve's photos are HERE
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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousMay 8, 2008 at 2:32 PM

    TRAINS Magazine did a piece on Covered Wagons(E and F Units) that are still going strong with tourist operations, although sadly, the two used by the Spirit of Washington were not part of it. It's amazing how these locomotives can still be running so long after being built. Also, older units are being recycled in other ways, Many of these new GenSet Switchers are only new from the frame up.

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