What are SD40M-2's?

[lateagain]

Looking at SLI's latest release I was interested to see the two "leasers". A Google search found plenty of pictures of this type but no explanation as to what they actually are?

They look like refurbished SD40&45's in the picture but they seem to have longer body work? I assume that they had a refurbed engine fitted too? Was this done by EMD or someone else?

Great to have yet more new types but surprised not to find a written explanation?

Anyone have a link to or explanation of what they are?

[TrainSimulations]

Hi Geoff,

They are refurbished units, as you mentioned. One a former Southern Pacific SD40, and the other an SP SD45.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locopicture.aspx?id=118080

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locopicture.aspx?id=323

I know the CITX unit was rebuilt by Alstom. I don't know about the CEFX unit. Noah did these fantastic units, so if he reads the thread maybe he can chime in.

Regards,
Jason@SLI

[lateagain]

Hi Jason,

I know that many refurbed EMD models were retro fitted with different power plants, control gear etc. Just interested in what was done with these as they obviously used 40's and 45's for the programme. There's a lot of info on other refurbished types on the web but drew a blank on these. Maybe Railpictures will have some info on their captions.

[dedwa15237]

SD40M-2's are originally SD40 and SD45 rebuilds by Morrison-Knudsen. They are rewired and rebuilt to Dash-2 specs. Most of all the rebuilt units are formerly SP, UP, NW, CR, and older railroads that was given to new leases of life. First off it was rebuilt for SP, then UP didnt want them, sold most of it off to leasing agencies, re-rebuilt and repainted them again by Alsthom then leased directly to power short CSXT in the first few years to ease freight meltdown on the Northeast. Then CSXT turned around, acquired many new GE units, slowly releasing some of the lease units for other railroads to use. Mainly, its leased to CSXT, UP, CP, and few times to BNSF. Even my little hometown railroad, Providence and Worcester, got 2 of the little CEFX bluebirds on lease for stone train service.

[lateagain]

Cheers Dave,

In these days of "standardisation" any glint of interest or the unusual usually has a story. As a Brit, who has read a lot on the history of North American Railroads and their amalgamations, I'm amazed at how diverse the traction can be on many roads over there. Here in the UK there is very little loco hauled traffic (as a %) and that is in a handful of companies and fewer and fewer locomotive types. Although the passenger franchises (a huge % of UK rail traffic) is set regionally the freight operators roam wider ....but very little variation in traction.