Greetings,

Would any of you all know where I could possibly located a couple SD40-2's to acquire for trade fodder. Our museum is working with a gentleman to acquire the original NW-2 switcher that once switched our station here in San Antonio for the T&NO. We were suprised to find that the unit still existed! He has made an offer that if we can locate two SD40-2's that are capable of running and in good/fair condition. If anyone could help with info I would appreciate it.

Not to demean the historical significance of your NE-2, but that is a REALLY lopsided trade. The two SD-40s are probably worth 3-4 times your NW-2 (a very cursory Internet check shows GP-40's and SD-40's going for somewhere around $190,000). The one NW-2 being offered by Sterling Rail is $99,000. You do the math. How badly do you want the NW-2? Maybe someone is out there who would donate you two SD-40s, but i think it is highly unlikely. If I were you I would not get my hopes up too high.

Mike

Loco Price 101

Second generation EMD 6 axle power isn't selling at anywhere near $190,000. I've purchased two units in the past year and didn't spend that much on both of them combined. You can buy them all day from any scrapper for less than $100,000. I bought mine from BNSF and The Royal Bank of Scotland.

EMD 4 axle power prices are inflated by the demand for them by rebuilders for platforms for green technology.

Don't use prices you see in Sterling Rail, Ozark Mountain Railcar, and D. F. Barnhardt Associates as guides to determine anything. These guys start high and work their way back to reality if and when they determine the purchaser is "serious".

In the past 10 months I've purchased two switchers, one running, one needing a radiator, oil cooler, and a reverser, for $15,000 each.

There are bargains out there if you look for them.

Good luck.

If this is the NW-2 that I think it is, the unit is in immaculate, fully restored condition and worth a few pennies more than the typical old EMD. I have wondered what its future would be after private ownership.

Rob

The current value of the switcher is $250K. It has had a full truck rebuild and will be receiving allignment control couplers soon. I have seen these little switchers go for high prices because you just can't go up to EMD and order a SW1200 or SW1500 anymore. I don't mind paying a little more for a unit that has been taken care of versus a unit I know nothing about and appearancewise looks like it is ready for the scrapper. As far as the SD40-2's go, there are so many of them out there in the market because they were owned by everyone. Its funny seeing a SD40 "switcher" at grain complex, but they exist.

For $250K you're halfway to a decent rebuild on your steam locomotive. Be aware that your NW-2 was probably used all over the system. If documentation exists on where it worked and how long I would be surprised to see if it were there majority of the time.

What model engine is installed in this switcher-a 567B or BC or ?

DPK

To answer the original question, check out Sterling Rail.

I believe it is a 567BC. Not exactly the best of the 567 series, but it will do.

NW-2, BC block, Truck rebuild or not, it is not a 250K loco. How modern is the electrical system? Electric or air switch gear? Traction control system? Hot start? Newer fuel filters? Newer oil filters? What model traction motors? Still has the obsolete 2 fan cooling system. Air or Electric throttle? Still have the 6 air? If 26 is NL or a true L. Is it M.U.able?
Most of the NW-s's I've seen have some but not all of the modifications mentioned above. usually some "blend" of the upgrades.
All that being said it is worth what ever someone is willing to pay.

And the more one or two buyers pay, the higher the expectations of all sellers will become. Good if you're selling that expensive unit, bad for all preservation.

Steve Hunter

Here's a point to consider:

Assuming that you have enough documentation to even justify making this particular switcher a priority acquisition (i.e. documentation that it worked that station for twenty years consistently or whatever, not one photo of it serving as switcher that particular day), at the moment, given its allegedly superior condition to other such switchers on the market, it's still worth far more as an operating switcher than it is as a static display at a museum. A rebuilt switcher is worth far more than an SD40-2 throwing oil, needing a turbo rebuild, new modules, rehabbing the brakes, rewiring, etc. just like if I offer a formerly crappy Ford Taurus or Focus with a rebuilt engine and suspension and brakes, nice sound system, refurbished AC and the like, it's going to be worth more than a "clapped-out" Ford F-250 pickup truck with a crumpled front bumper, a rusted-out bed and an engine belching clouds of smoke and occasional flame.

Unless your intention is to offer up this loco as a lease unit until its condition deteriorates, this is not a rational approach. "Stalk" the loco through its new owner.