Locomotives are living the expat life

By Chris Guss | September 13, 2024

Living the expat life

train in middle of foreign land — Four eight-axle VLI BB36-7s power a loaded limestone train near Campo Belo, Brazil, on Aug. 18, 2024. The lead consist is comprised of former Southern Pacific and Conrail B36-7s, while the mid-train locomotives in the background were originally a former Norfolk & Western C36-7 and Conrail B36-7. Two photos, Chris Guss

You may not be aware, but your favorite diesel model from long ago may be living another life right now in a land far away.

Thousands of locomotives no longer needed on North American railroads have been shipped off to lead a second life in foreign countries for decades. The second-hand market for used American-made power remains alive and well. Although old North American power may still survive elsewhere, many of these units been modified to fit the needs of their new owners, giving some a strange appearance today. This can include new trucks for different gauge track, extending the frame of locomotives to fit additional axles underneath, to otherwise modifying the equipment to suit conditions in the new location.

One example is in South America: Brazil. Traditionally a General Electric stronghold, the country has acquired thousands of second-hand GEs, along with a lesser amount of EMD locomotives over the years. From former Milwaukee Road SDL39s in daily service and fitted with broad-gauge wheels for the 5-foot, 6-inch gauge track, to the eight-axle B+B trucked GE and EMD locomotives for the narrow gauge 1000mm (3-foot, 6-inch gauge) track in the country’s midsection, the variety of former locomotives still earning their keep is amazing. You can find former locomotives such as EMD NF210s, SDL39s, SD40-2s, and SD40T-2s, along with GE B36-7s, C36-7s and SF30Cs that served North American carriers decades ago.

In some cases, expat locomotives have served new owners as long as or longer than they were in service in North America. For example, former Canadian National NF210 locomotives, which are essentially narrow-gauge SD9s built for use in Newfoundland, are now living their second life in Chile for Antofagasta Railway Company (FCAB). Built between 1956 and 1960, the NF210s began arriving in Brazil during the late 1980s and are still in service today. The power was rebuilt when it arrived in Chile, which included upgrading the control systems with Q-Tron microprocessors.

Those willing to travel abroad may come face to face with units you enjoyed decades ago, still slugging it out in revenue service today.