SD40-2 SLSF 950, SLSF 955, SLSF 952 SD40-2 SLSF 950, SLSF 955, SLSF 952 Hope they prove useful to your needs. From my trip to Tulsa. 8/1978. Take Care, Bob Finan
Neat pictures! Though I am an outspoken fan of Frisco black and yellow diesels, I am a big fan of the SD40-2, Frisco's and others. I had the opportunity in 1995 to ride in the cab of a Union Pacific (UP) SD40-2. I cannot believe I have 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 Oregon Short Line (OSL). What a blast! I will never forget it. Ken
When the SD40-2s were in their "prime" they were indeed good locomotives in my humble opinion. They were never as much of a pleasure to operate as GP40-2s, but were not designed with the SDs type of service in mind. But over 20-25 MPH a GP40-2 would pull about as much as a SD40-2. In my experience you could almost always count on a SD40-2 to pull its rated tonnage, rain or shine. They would dig in and just go to work, and sounded good doing it. But, 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 in route and noticed newer locomotives dropping their loads, but those SDs AMP meters 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 Boulevard in Oakhurst in the 1970s and early 1980s. As you know, the railroad ran parallel to Southwest Boulevard at that point.
I agree with Tom, the sound of the SD45 and pulling were great. Down the scale was the SD40-2. I loved to run both SD45s and SD40-2s any day of the week. I hated to have high hood General Electric (GE) 800s for a lead unit. You could not see, 16 position throttle, automatic brake valve in wrong place, and also, a horn rope from celling to console. General Electrics were great units 2-3-4 deep in consist. Almost forgot the steps getting on or off were straight vertical and close together. High hoods were not in style.
