Spotlight on Second-Hand SD9 Owners |
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Columbia River Basin 171 and five stablemates lead a freight consist at Shano, Washington on 6 May 2019. (James House photo) |
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EMD's production of the GP7/9 far out-distanced that of the larger six-axle SD7/9 by a 9
to 1 margin during the 1950s . Yet, the builder's six-motor veteran has been often the
preferred choice by buyers shopping in the second-hand locomotive market, rather than the
geep. The vintage six-axle's relatively competitive purchase price has certainly been a
consideration, but not the only determinant. The durability of the V16-567 power-plant has
also played into the decision, along with the six-motor's 40 percent greater tractive force.
Additionally, most class one railroads have sidelined their first generation SDs in favor of 645-driven second-generation six-motor units, thus creating a surplus of older SD9s. The ability of these aging six-axles to still handle a wide range of assignments has endeared the model to many regional, short line and industrial users. In fact, the large number of re-purposed SD9s dictates that this month's photo essay focuses on a few Class 1 owners and a geographical cross-section of several lesser known owners. |
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Second-hand Owners |
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| Black River & Western
#9581 (nee Central of Georgia 202) works a Virginia coal terminal. John Leopard photo, 2 August 2020 | Bessemer & Lake Erie
B&LE power paused in Kansas city while leased to the Union Pacific. Deane Motis photo at Kansas City, Missouri, on 29 May 1978 |
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| Burlington Northern
A Chinese red/white garb signals #6186's prior owner, at Pacific Jct. Iowa Jim Jeffrey photo in February 1975 / Ralph Back collection | Burlington Northern Santa Fe
#6125 (nee CB&Q 323) worked InterBay Yard in Seattle for many years. Deane Motis photo on 2 June 2002 |
| Canon City & Royal Gorge
#5305 (nee D&RGW 5305) worked Royal Gorge trains for more than 12 years. Ben Helsel photo, 1 October 2003 | Conrail
First-gen, six-axle power was not commonplace in Toledo Ohio until Conrail. C.R. Faris photo on 20 May 1980 / Willie Brown collection |
| Dakota Southern
SD9E #4427 (ex-Espee 4427) once work rock trains at Chamberlain South Dakota. Jeff Terry photo, 4 July 2021 | DeBruce Companies
DeBruce Grain #1723 (nee DM&IR) at Joice Iowa waits for a busier season. Jeff Streiff photo, 18 May 2016 |
Prior to donning EJ&E banner and colors, #610 toiled for DM&IR as #154, Gray, IN. |
Elgin Joliet & Eastern
#610 returned to Proctor, MN and the DM&IR two decades later still in EJ&E garb. Deane Motis, 15 May 1993 |
| East Carbon Development Co.
#4355 (ex-SP 4355/5474) was one of two SD9s used by the environmental company. Bill Kalkman photo, June 1996 | Escanaba & Lake Superior
#E&LS 1221 (ex-Reserve Mining) was one of the road's few active SD9s. Dave Schauer photo, 5 July 2014 |
| J.D. Heiskel Company
JD Heiskell's loco fleet are all numbered "1886," the year company started.
Bob Hanggie photo at Pixley California in March 2012 | Helm Leasing
First-gen SDs were a rarity on Helm roster; #504 was ex-ASAB (same number). Duane Hall photo in January 1988 / Marty Benard collection |
| Modoc Northern
Three years after railroad's demise remnants remain at Tulelake California. Susan Stienstra photo on 1 April 2012 | Montana Rail Link
The #608 (ex-Missabe 121) guides a train thru Quebec Montana. Dave Schauer on 2 April 2005 |
| OmniTrax Switching
#1750 handles Trans Canada Switching in Roberts Banks British Columbia Deane Motis collection 3 July 1997 photo | Port of Tillamook
A classy looking POTB #4406 (ex-SP #4406) stands alone at Banks Oregon. John Barget photo, 19 August 1995 |
| Tacoma Eastern
The #439 (ex-Southern Pacific 4439) idles at Albany Eastern. John Bargert photo, 27 May 2000 | Texas & Oklahoma Railroad
The #6183 was one of two ex-Burlington SD9s working in Sweetwater Texas. CN Southwell photo, 24 August 2015 |
| Tri-City Railway
The #25 delivers interchange traffic to the Union Pacific in Richland Washington. Mark Herren photo, 21 January 2010 | Trona Railway
A very clean Trona 2001 waits outside the shop area in Trona California. Alan Miller photo, 17 January 1996 |
| Winchester & Western
W&W's lone SD9 (nee NKP 352) rolls local towards Millville New Jersey. Henry Dell photo 20 January 2020 |
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