I believe a number of Soo SD40-2s have been retrofitted with extended
range DB. They can be identified with a more pronounced hump/box
structure just ahead of the grids.
The 5402-5414 I believe also have this feature (identified by a
square box) just ahead of the db grids. Also the 5402-5414 (ex
QNS&Ls) have 4000 imp. gallon tanks. This, along with their extended
range DB is why they were commonly used for motive power tests on the
M&O Sub in the 1980's and 1990s (essentially a heavier unit when
fully fuelled and provided more restistance for adheasion testing
with thier extended range DB).
CP/Soo 6406-6410 have 5000 gallon tanks since they were former ICG
SD40A's.
The ex NS SD40-2s bought from GATX also have extended range DB.
I believe the 9000s have it too, but not sure (they were built well
into the SD50 production period that feature would have been standard
by then).
UP Dash 8s are all off test and going home...testing was cancelled
because of poor condition of these units...10-12 years of hard service
on the UP.
3084...the straight 40's are slowly dieing. And as Doug Cummings
pointed out, why blow 3000 hp when 2000 will do? (Some things in
corporate culture never die). Not to mention, a 4-axle unit is much
more versatile than a big 6-axle one when one considers the service
for which it is intended.
As for liveries...the 5" stripes and large multi-mark was always neat
(but going to 8" stripes only on the nose and the small MM really
lessened the impact), that said the M&G and script is the classiest.
5767 (scud) and 5911 (leader) still have the large multi-mark. 5863
is the third, but it might have been re-painted.
Ross Harrison
