I have recently become interested in diesel locomotives. What sparked my interest was a few locomotives in the San Bernardino Automotive Yard. I saw a few engines that had interesting paint jobs, and the letters SIFX on the side. I think that these engines were GP5's but I can't be certain. (Like I said I'm new to all this.) What I was wondering is if anyone knows what exactly SIFX stands for. -Mandi the Curious:ru-biggrin:
Good question. SIFX must be more recent, as it is not on any list I know about. If you have a camera, and are in that area again.... Boxcab E50
SIFX is a set of FRA reporting marks. The "X" means the company that owns the equipment is not a common-carrier railroad. There are dozens of companies renting out surplus railroad equipment these days. They are probably a leasing company, like Helm (HLCX).
First Union (FURX), Helm, and other heavily lease out cast-off class I locos. When a railroad deems a unit as surplus, it is sold to a lessor (generally), and the lessor leases the unit out. Usually the railroad that cast the loco off leases it again, never leaving the property!
According to the site I found says SIFX is a Helms Leasing reporting mark for Systems Fuels Inc http://www.pwrr.org/rrm/rrms.html
They won't be GP5s were all retired in the 80s, except for one, in 91. A few were rebuilt into GP28Ms.
