Burlington Northern Santa Fe

BNSF SD40 #7300-#7339 are former Canadian National and Grand Trunk Western locomotives. They were converted to “SD40-2” standards by Alstom at Point St. Charles, PQ. They were on a ten-year lease from Newcourt Capital USA. They were released for service on 9/01/99 through 10/12/99.

BNSF FEATURES:

• Ex-CN and GTW units rebuilt in late 1990s and classified as “SD40-2”

• K3L horn on long hood

• 4000 gallon fuel tank

• Operating front ditch lights

• Twin air reservoirs

• Sinclair antenna

• Snow shields

• Canadian style vertical rear headlight

• Snowplow

Southern Pacific

Southern Pacific instituted a rebuild program for their SD40s in 1980-1981. The units were updated to Dash-2 electrical standards, as well as receiving electrical cabinet air filters just behind the cab on the fireman’s side. They were placed in the 73XX number series.

A few units received the attractive red-and-yellow paint scheme of the proposed Southern Pacific Santa Fe merger, which combined SP scarlet with ATSF yellow. The merger was subsequently denied in 1986, but the repainted units lasted until the 1990s on the SP in some cases.

SP FEATURES:

• SP Class SD40R - rebuilt in 1980-1981

• 4,000 gallon fuel tank

• SP light packages front and rear

• Large front plow with angled cut levers

• Nathan P-3 horn

• Rebuilt “L” shaped front window

• Extended-range dynamic brakes

• SP tool box on left hand walkway

Penn Central

Built in late 1970 and early 1971, this group of SD40s was delivered new to the PC, but was similar to the units inherited from the Pennsy. As some of the newest and most reliable units on the roster, they were used in almost any type of service, but were most frequently found on the mountainous territory between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, the latter being their assigned maintenance base.

PC FEATURES:

• As-delivered configuration with footboard pilots

• Leslie RS3L low-clearance horn

• Extended-range dynamic brakes

• Short hood with grab iron located on left side

• Front and rear pilot grabs

• 4000 gallon fuel tank

• ACI labels

• Cab signal box

Fort Worth & Western

The Fort Worth & Western Railroad (FWWR) began in 1988, with the purchase of 6.25 miles of track from the former Burlington Northern Railroad. It now owns 276 miles of track. FWWR interchanges with three Class I railroads, Union Pacific, BNSF and Kansas City Southern in Fort Worth, as well as short line railroad, Texas Pacifico, at San Angelo Junction.

It is apparent that the FWWR takes pride in its locomotive fleet; each unit has an individual name, and their website lists descriptive details of each roster member. FWWR 2029 and 2030 are SD40s rebuilt to SD40-2 standards, and are named “Eastland County” and “Dallas County”, respectively.

FWWR FEATURES:

• Ditch lights on both ends

• 5-chime horn

• Large front plow

• Rear brake wheel

• Dual RV air conditioners