Very much Mopac - style paint, but is it an ex Mopac machine? I know they had dynamic brake fitted SD40-2's, but I didn't think they had dynamic brake fitted SD40s....? But I could be wrong, so what do you guys think? I shot it working for the W&LE back in September 2000.
Judging by the pic, that diesel is an SD40. MP's SD40s (and most of their SD40-2s) lacked dynamic brakes. My guess is that it's a rent-a-wreck painted in the lessor's colors. Looks like an investigation is afoot......
From the unofficial W&LE Railray site: "Former UP 3102. Sold by UP to WC/Oxford Leasing and leased to W&LE in late 1992. Purchased by W&LE in 1997 then sold to CIT Financial and leased back by the W&LE. Unit has early Q-Tron exitation system. Painted in W&LE black and orange tiger stripes with orange speedletters. Unit has dynamic brakes and low short hood. Unit Was rebuilt by W&LE with Q-Tron excitation control system." Further info on this and other WLE diesels can be found at the unofficial WLE Railway site
UP 3102, SD40 Built: Sep 1971 Builders Number: 37908 Retired: 17 Aug 1988 Sold to Wilson Railway Co., Des Moines, Iowa, 24 October 1988, in national lease service as WC-Oxford 3102; sold to Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway 3102 in August 1992.
And untimately ironic that this was a locomotive from a railroad that has absorbed BOTH the MP and Rio Grande!
