SDfourD
Familiarity Fading
CEFX 3109 East cuts through the stiff breeze as it heads for Portage on the most frigid day of 2016 thus far. For many, these gray Alstoms have never been anything but a let down. In a somewhat sick way, I have always had a soft spot for these and their fellow "rebuilt for order" more colorful siblings of SD40/SD40-2/SD45 ilk. Numerous reporting marks were given to this massive rebuild program, which started in earnest in 1999 to quench CSX's power shortage.
The first batch was under First Union, and they all came in a lively green and silver scheme which ranged from 3000-3052. Next up was under Alstoms' own reporting marks (GCFX), which were pumped out in three scheme variations from 3053-3102. The final installment of the order was placed under Citi Bank initials, and this batch was largely rebuilt from former SP and Santa Fe SD45 hulks, ranging from 3103-3152. The 3103-3112 were in the typical gray with white chevrons, but the SD45 shells were all dressed in a vibrant blue with two italic white and green stripes on the long hood. All engines were outfitted with the same microprocessor and updated cabs, which makes spotting these rebuilds as simple as looking at the thicker plastic window gaskets.
But with it being 2016, these "fresh" SD40 rebuilds are now old again. And many from this impressive rebuild program have already found new homes on shortlines and regionals in strange side sales that make you wonder what holding company even owns which ones. Much like how they all came together, a scattered mess of Canadian and US SD40's and SD45's, they have dispersed in reverse to try and escape the torches. And with NS needing some extra power at the moment (a phenomenon I am still confused by) I guess this one fit the bill alongside the CEFX 3143 and former SOO SD60's.
The vast majority of these Alstoms that haven't been sold off yet are still on CSX property, as they were intended, but have since been stored (save for a FURX or two). So I am fairly certain that this is my last time shooting a true gray ghost leading a Class 1 train.
Farewell friend.
Familiarity Fading
CEFX 3109 East cuts through the stiff breeze as it heads for Portage on the most frigid day of 2016 thus far. For many, these gray Alstoms have never been anything but a let down. In a somewhat sick way, I have always had a soft spot for these and their fellow "rebuilt for order" more colorful siblings of SD40/SD40-2/SD45 ilk. Numerous reporting marks were given to this massive rebuild program, which started in earnest in 1999 to quench CSX's power shortage.
The first batch was under First Union, and they all came in a lively green and silver scheme which ranged from 3000-3052. Next up was under Alstoms' own reporting marks (GCFX), which were pumped out in three scheme variations from 3053-3102. The final installment of the order was placed under Citi Bank initials, and this batch was largely rebuilt from former SP and Santa Fe SD45 hulks, ranging from 3103-3152. The 3103-3112 were in the typical gray with white chevrons, but the SD45 shells were all dressed in a vibrant blue with two italic white and green stripes on the long hood. All engines were outfitted with the same microprocessor and updated cabs, which makes spotting these rebuilds as simple as looking at the thicker plastic window gaskets.
But with it being 2016, these "fresh" SD40 rebuilds are now old again. And many from this impressive rebuild program have already found new homes on shortlines and regionals in strange side sales that make you wonder what holding company even owns which ones. Much like how they all came together, a scattered mess of Canadian and US SD40's and SD45's, they have dispersed in reverse to try and escape the torches. And with NS needing some extra power at the moment (a phenomenon I am still confused by) I guess this one fit the bill alongside the CEFX 3143 and former SOO SD60's.
The vast majority of these Alstoms that haven't been sold off yet are still on CSX property, as they were intended, but have since been stored (save for a FURX or two). So I am fairly certain that this is my last time shooting a true gray ghost leading a Class 1 train.
Farewell friend.