Scratching my head at your comment. This example is not a "rebuild," at least not one that sports any outward visible signs of "change," it is an original SD built to Conrail specs (with 'flexicoil" trucks rather than the standard HT-C trucks). Not getting the "kid in tennis shoes" reference either, unless that's a reference to the "Tunnel Motor" version (or to SD45-2s?). There is no other (aside from "cowl" units built for CP) "Dash 2" SD40 variants that are any different.
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This was built originally as an SD40 but was upgraded to -2 electrically. There are spotting features. CR’s as-built SD40-2s did have the older style flexicoils but all other railroads bought the HTC trucks which makes them look longer and dominates the look. The tennis shoes comment refers to an expression by someone in “Trains” article. It may have been David P Morgan. The only one left on NS is 3429. See NSDash9.com.
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| Posted by L&N_55 on June 13, 2022 | |
Man it was a long time ago, but I believe the "kid in tennis shoes" comment was also in one of the Diesel Spotter's Guides way back in the day and referred to the frame of the SD40-2 being much longer than the body.
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Well, this one is actually not a rebuild; built in August 1979 new for Conrail (CR 6499). So it is the full length "DASH-2" frame, not the shorter SD40 frame. Hence my confusion regarding your comment.
The "tell" for the DASH-2s is the anti-climber above the pilot; Conrail's "inherited" SD40s didn't have them, making them easy to spot. The dynamic brake blister (extending all the way to the grill behind the cab) also is a DASH-2 spotting feature on the SDs (GP40-2s were more confusing in this regard).
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Oops, my bad. -2 for sure. Must be blind. Will change model.
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LOL, we all have our moments!
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