GN SDP40 #324 - is she still around?

Traintravelisfun · **Joined:** Mon Feb 10, 2020 11:26 pm **Posts:** 5

Would anyone have information on the status of former Great Northern SDP40 #324?

The SDP40 was a rare bird in the US and thankfully one (325)has been saved at the Minnesota Transportation Museum. The others have met various fates - scrap, rebuilding etc. One other would be a preservation candidate if it still survives is GN 324, which was reportedly still on the BNSF roster several years ago. Anyone know if it still survives?

From the MTM web page:

BNSF 6326 and 6327 became the final two locomotives on the BNSF to have started life as passenger units. 6326 (nee-GN 324) is actually still on their roster, but has been stored out of service for many years. Interestingly, it’s identification has been changed to GN 6326 to make way for new locomotive purchases.

RTL-III · **Joined:** Tue Oct 09, 2018 4:36 pm **Posts:** 27

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/LocoPi ... x?id=18957

According to the RRPictureArchives page, it was moved dead a couple months ago from Topeka, KS to Galveston, TX. Still there as of 5/30 and no GN reporting marks to be found.

LeoA · **Joined:** Mon Sep 28, 2015 12:30 am **Posts:** 312

Report on Loconotes by Sean Graham-White at the end of May was that she was moved from Topeka to Galveston for temporary storage. Final destination was reported to be Memphis for scrapping.

CREEPING DEATH · **Joined:** Sun Oct 24, 2010 6:22 pm **Posts:** 275

I happened to have been in Galveston this week, there are HUNDREDS of various BNSF units stored dead in the salt air. If it is there, and you want it, you need to call BNSF and make an offer ASAP!

Attachment:

File comment: Galveston TX June 23, 2020

rLpEVE1JR4q2hyXyrgDIRA.jpeg [ 166.5 KiB | Viewed 10370 times ]

That's only a very small portion of the stored units!

CD

Rob Sundberg · **Posted:** Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:36 pm

This video is 7 months old but you can see 6326 at the :55 mark.https://www.facebook.com/samuel.brodersen/videos/1385063788341450/
Hope this helps some.

BnOTolSub · **Joined:** Mon Dec 18, 2017 11:41 am **Posts:** 161

GCFX 3093 was GN 323. Not sure if it is still floating around? I ran it a few times on CSX a while back.

2nd edit-is now GRD 9043.

Traintravelisfun · **Joined:** Mon Feb 10, 2020 11:26 pm **Posts:** 5

Interesting news regarding GN SDP40 #324. According the latest issue of Railfan & Railroad, this unit and a SD9 have been purchased from the deadline and saved and will be returned to service. A California based company is the purchaser. Anyone have any other information that can be publicly shared?

Tom F · **Joined:** Mon Jul 02, 2018 8:04 pm **Posts:** 314

That is great news. That locomotive was posted to Facebook not too long ago (can't find the post now) asking someone to save it. It generated quite a bit of interest. I can't remember if it was a museum or a individual but I believe it was a preservation society that wanted it for their collection. Does anyone know what ever happened to that GN, SD9 in Skykomish, Washington they were trying to move this year?

SDP45 · **Joined:** Tue Dec 24, 2019 2:31 pm **Posts:** 11

The SD9 in Sky is still there, but it's twin (the other former GN SD9 with dynamics) is now in preservation in Reardan, WA at the Inland Northwest Railroad Museum. It made the move a few months ago.

Dan