Amtrak SDP40F Preserved!

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Tue Nov 11, 2003 2:37 am

This just in from 11-10-2003 Trains.com Newswire:

"Former Amtrak SDP40F saved

PORTLAND, Ore. - Burlington Northern Santa Fe SDF40-2 cowl unit 6976, which began life as Amtrak SDP40F 644 in the 1970Â’s, has been saved from the scrapper by Northwest Rail Museum in Portland. The unit became one of 18 such swapped in 1984 by Amtrak to BNSF predecessor Santa Fe for a couple dozen CF7Â’s and EMD SW-series switchers.

The unit is perhaps best known for being one of two painted in Maersk blue in late 2002 (the other was a Norfolk Southern SD40-2) for the official opening of the new Maersk container loading and unloading facility at the Port of Los Angeles.

The unit was stored until recently in Illinois. After a deal was brokered by Northwest Rail Museum, the unit now is in transit to Portland. Chris Fussell, who helped save Amtrak F40 231, was one of the principal parties in this transaction."

LNER4472-NOSPAM-@bcpl.net

Lance Myers · **Posted:** Tue Nov 11, 2003 9:08 am

> "Former Amtrak SDP40F saved

Great news. I didn't grow up with these locomotives but they are interesting, unique, and this particular one is worth saving. Has anyone discussed what paint scheme she will be restored to, if at all? She obviously is already operational.

NS (Maersk) 3329 was the first piece of rail equipment I drove, and once she is retired, I hope she can be saved as Conrail's first SD40-2.

Congratulations to the museum.

altoona_east@railfanusa.com

George Jenista · **Posted:** Tue Nov 11, 2003 10:14 am

> PORTLAND, Ore. - Burlington Northern Santa
> Fe SDF40-2 cowl unit 6976, which began life
> as Amtrak SDP40F 644 in the 1970Â’s, has been
> saved from the scrapper by Northwest Rail
> Museum in Portland.

To clarify, this is not the MAERSK unit retained (and de-engined) by the BNSF, whose disposition is as yet undetermined, correct?

hi_plain@yahoo.com

Rob Davis · **Posted:** Tue Nov 11, 2003 10:15 am

Looks like Chris has become the patron saint of Amtrak cowl units! Great job!

Rob

rdavis@rypn.org

Lance Myers · **Posted:** Tue Nov 11, 2003 10:18 am

> To clarify, this is not the MAERSK unit
> retained (and de-engined) by the BNSF, whose
> disposition is as yet undetermined, correct?

BNSF 6976 is the Maersk unit.

altoona_east@railfanusa.com

Dan Decker · **Posted:** Tue Nov 11, 2003 12:08 pm

> Looks like Chris has become the patron saint
> of Amtrak cowl units! Great job!

> Rob

This is the former Amtrak SDP40F/Santa Fe SDF40-2 that was painted into the Maersk promotional scheme. As I understand it it is absent of the prime mover but the controls may still be functional. It can MU with other units but cannot move under its' own power. Don't know if the traction motors are still there or not but I'd doubt it. Great work preserving another Amtrak unit, despite the Santa Fe modifications to the front porch/steps it would still look great back in Platinum Mist with the first generation Amtrak paint scheme....... it's already mostly silver bue to the Maersk stuff.....

wichita_rails@msn.com

Greg · **Posted:** Tue Nov 11, 2003 2:19 pm

> BNSF 6976 is the Maersk unit.

Where is this other unit stored? Is it also in Illinois? If it can be MU'ed, I'm assuming it can be moved on its own wheels?

Greg

http://www.traveltown.org
greg@cscvrr.org

davew833 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 11, 2003 2:48 pm

The message thread on TRAINORDERS suggests this loco is inoperable but complete, including prime mover and traction motors. I believe Chris said something about a ground relay fault preventing it from operating.

davew833@yahoo.com

Dan Calhoun · **Posted:** Tue Nov 11, 2003 6:26 pm

Hello all,

6976 was stored in Topeka,KS and by now, the 6976 *should* be in lower Montana, on the KCK-PAS.

From what Chris and I were told about the 6976 is just it had a Ground Fault Failure. So once we get it to Portland, we'll have a look and figure out what needs to be done.

More info on 6976 should be coming on www.f40phr231.org shortly.

And If you haven't considered making a donation to "Friends of F40PHR 231", please do so.

Chris has done so much to bring 231 home to Portland, and If any of you are to meet Chris ever, please thank him for all his hard work saving 231, or please consider making a donation.
http://www.f40phr231.org/essay/donations.html

And Please remember all donations tax deductible!

Thank you,
Dan Calhoun

NP2626@RRmail.com

Lance Myers · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2003 12:38 am

> From what Chris and I were told about the
> 6976 is just it had a Ground Fault Failure.
> So once we get it to Portland, we'll have a
> look and figure out what needs to be done.

What exactly is a Ground Fault Failure for the those of us who do not know?

altoona_east@railfanusa.com

Dan Calhoun · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2003 2:18 am

> What exactly is a Ground Fault Failure for
> the those of us who do not know?

A ground fault failure is a electrical failure. A Ground fault failure can range from anywhere from 1 wire shorting out to a bad generator.

We won't know what the full problem is untill we are able to have a good look at 6976 and the electrical paperwork. So don't expect to see any report or photos of 6976 operational for at least a while.

Dan

NP2626@RRmail.com

Lance Myers · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2003 3:03 pm

> We won't know what the full problem is
> untill we are able to have a good look at
> 6976 and the electrical paperwork. So don't
> expect to see any report or photos of 6976
> operational for at least a while.

Well, whatever the problem is, I wish you good luck and congratuations.

~Lance

altoona_east@railfanusa.com

Matt Conrad · **Posted:** Mon Nov 17, 2003 5:42 pm

> This just in from 11-10-2003 Trains.com
> Newswire:

> "Former Amtrak SDP40F saved

Were any of the "Pooches" saved? I think I rode behind a couple on the Auto Train in the late '80s or early '90s.

mconrad@msmgmt.com

Dave K · **Posted:** Tue Nov 18, 2003 12:24 pm

No, all were cut up-perhaps at Naporano.

> Were any of the "Pooches" saved? I
> think I rode behind a couple on the Auto
> Train in the late '80s or early '90s.

newhaven0401@verizon.net