Blue Ridge Southern SD40-2

[mysterytrain]

14766221094_318ae629de_k.jpg

There's a new railroad company that's began leasing the Murphy Branch in North Carolina from Norfolk Southern.

I've only seen a few photos of their power (SD40-2), so I thought this might be a good repaint project for someone?

[crocs4022]

Believe it or not, they do have a few SD40-2s on the roster. Here's the best I can come up with for a photo right now.http://thumbs2.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mjKxjBdgEDiJ_TpKEOmLsEg.jpg
The unit # is 4205

Will have to run by there base of operations when I'm out that direction again to get photos and #s. Only a half hour from there.

[ColoradoRailfan]

but until we can get a SD45 with ditchlight attachments, an SD40-2 will work.

+1, then we could paint it into DRGW or something.

[thecanadianrail]

Technically it'd be an SD40M-2 because of the flared radiators, but until we can get a SD45 with ditchlight attachments, an SD40-2 will work.

Some info on this type of locomotive...In 1993, SP contracted with Morrison Knudsen to supply 133 SD40M-2's, as part of the contract, SP was to supply no carbodies or shells. This sparked a frantic search for 133 six axle locos suitable for rebuilding. The search turned up 30 SD40's, 97 SD45's and 6 SDP45's. Due to another kitbash happening at MK at the time, 10 of the rebuilt SD45's received GP40 rear hoods and radiators. This resulted in 4 distinct versions, although all classified SD40M-2. The version that we see in the picture above in the Blue ridge scheme is actually an ex SD45 (short end platforms and fared radiators)