They listened to the salesman. KCS was just certain that they could haul the train to KC from Shreveport with two of the new SD50 prototypes instead of the usual SD40-2. And they could, if I did... (more)

Union Pacific yard from 7th street overpass

Union Pacific purchased eight EMD SD40X demonstrators. Six had flared radiators while two had flush to the body style radiators. They were built on SD35 frames. They look like SD45s but much short... (more)

Aesthetically my favorite of the line, this experimental, crammed onto an SD35 frame presents a big old chunk of power, as am I. Well, a chunk anyway. And old. I was delighted to catch it worki... (more)

A PLM SD40X leads a wild consist of CP, D&H and NYS&W units on Susqhehanna HAN-1X. Included are both of NYS&Ws F45s. The train has passed under I-80 in Ridgefield Park as it nears the end of its... (more)

Back when I started for CN in 2004, the locals between Waterloo and Fort Dodge would meet mid-day around the Webster City/Williams area and swap trains. The jobs this day meet here at Webster City... (more)

A southbound KCS manifest is nearing the end of its climb out of the Missouri River Valley onto Blue Ridge.

A coal train pauses by the KCS Yard on the north side of Texarkana with KCS 701 on the point. 701 was one of 4 SD40X's built by EMD and were the prototypes for the SD50's.

A trio of EMD SD40 types including a rare SDP40 #290 enter the north end of Lombard Canyon with a 840 local.

A trio of EMD SD40 types including a rare SDP40 #290 slow to work the town of Townsend, Montana.

A trio of EMD SD40 types including a rare SDP40 #290 lead the 840 local after sunrise near East Helena bound for Logan where it will interchange with the 844 local and return.

The Rio Grande had complained for some time that Utah Railway's Alco powered coal trains were too slow on its mainline across Soldier Summit. To remedy the problem, the UTAH established a pool pow... (more)

A pair of SD40X's are used as hump power at North Platte's Bailey yard. Photo taken by James Claflin.

One of two of UP's non flaired radiator SD40X's. Here it sits at Kansas City. Photo taken by Bill Folsom.