the numbers that kato has picked for the new run of union pacific sd40s----doesnt make sense---according to my UP books these road numbers are ex-cnw sd40-2 not sd40--are these road number from the later sd40--but lettering scheme doesnt match---please shed some light-thank you
3021 and 3039 are correct numbers for units from UP's SD40 fleet (not to be confused with the later and much different SD40-2), which they started acquiring in 1966. They were numbered 3000-3122 (3040-3047 were SD40X testbeds). UP operated their SD40s from 1966 until the late 1980's, when members of the fleet began to be stored or sold/leased off. With all the SD40-2s UP has picked up through mergers over the years, it's no surprise they're re-using the old SD40 number series.
i have looked thru 100s of pictures of UP sd40 engines----i have never seen a UP sd40 in this more modern looking scheme---they all have silver trucks and older style nose lettering ---all sd40 that UP still had on rooster where sent to mexico on loan/lease--and i know UP never repainted them just to ship them south of the border---please somebody prove me wrong---got pictures anybody?--to prove a point------thank you
While I don't remember where I have seen such a photo, I do remember seeing one somewhere (Probably in a mid 1980's magazine). Here are the facts that support the accuracy of the paint scheme on the new SD40 release: UP Diesels first began receiving 20" cab numerals in November 1980. Thus, any locomotive repainted after this period received this treatment. UP's SD40's were in service as late as 1992. They were leased to NdeM between 1989 and 1992 which means that they operated on the UP through 1989 giving plenty of time for at least some of them to receive the more modern paint. Based on this information, these models would fit into a layout modeling 1980's UP operation which could also include power still in MP and WP paint. My information comes from the following sources...follow the links to research the history of UP's SD40's: Utah Rails UP SD40 Page Utah Rails Early Merger Roster Page Utah Rails UP Diesel Paint Schemes Page These pages are the work of Don Strack, who has published many books on the Union Pacific. I hope the information is helpful. [ 17. July 2002, 03:44: Message edited by: Kevin Stevens ]
