Neat pics! Though I'm an outspoken fan of Frisco b/y diesels, I'm a big fan of the SD40-2, Frisco's and others. I had the opportunity in 1995 to ride in the cab of a UP SD40-2 (I can't believe I've forgotten the road number, but I have! It was one of their "fast forties") from Green River, WY to Soda Springs, ID out the former "OSL". What a blast! I'll never forget it. Ken
SD 40-2's were in their "prime" indeed good locomotives in my humble opinion. They were never as much of a pleasure to operate as GP 40-2's, but were not designed with the SD's type of service in mind. But over 20-25 MPH a GP 40-2 would pull about as much as a SD40-2. In my experience you could almost always count on a SD40-2 to pull it's rated tonnage, rain or shine, they would dig in and just go to work, and sounded good doing it,(not as good as a SD45). With extended range dynamics they were even better. They were very good by design, some of the last pre-microprocessor locomotives made, and would give you everything they had when called upon. Many times I have walked thru a consist en-route and noticed newer locomotives dropping their load's, but those SD's AMP meter's would be in or close to the short time rating, doing all they could. Tom|-|
Love the pictures... I have an uncle that had a foundry on Southwest Blvd in Oakhurst in the '70's and early '80's. As you know, the rails ran parallel to SW Blvd at that point.
I agree with Tom the sound of the sd45 and pulling were great. down the scale was the 40-2. loved to run both 45s 40-2s any day of the week. I hated to have GE 800 for a lead unit , could not see ,16 throttle, auto matic in wrong place, ind also, a rope from celling to console. GE were great units 2-3-4 deep in consist. Almost forgot step getting or off were straignt , close together.Hi hood were not in style .
