Currently, the Southwestern’s Whitewater Division is home to five of the venerable beetle-browed units. Southwestern No. 29 was acquired from Phelps-Dodge Copper Co.
Cimarron Valley’s four units: Nos. 20, 3004, 3014, and 3024 — were originally Denver & Rio Grande Western units. They operate on the Cimarron’s three grain-hauling subdivisions that radiate out of Satanta, Kan., 60 miles west of Dodge City, Kan.
Bruce Carswell, a Western Group senior vice president, says the five former Carlsbad Division SD50s have been relocated to the Cimarron Valley routes running west from Dodge City. Four SD40s, also from Carlsbad, N.M., have been assigned to Southwestern’s Whitewater Division and are now working out of Deming, N.M.
“When we acquired the GP30s more than 20 years ago, these units were ideally suited to the [Southwestern’s and Cimarron Valley’s] trains and track conditions,” Carswell says. Crews found the GP30s to be nimble, quick to accelerate, and ideal for grain elevator and mine switching.
“Trains on both railroads are heavier and longer. The SD40s and SD50s are better suited for today’s operations at Southwestern and Cimarron Valley,” Carswell says.
Carswell says some GP30s on both railroads soon will be stored serviceable and, “if the price is right, will be available for sale. The Western Group has a strong affinity for these classic locomotives and will take care to ensure the units will be delivered in operating condition to new owners.”
Tracking the Cimarron Valley’s GP30s is easy as major highways parallel the railroad’s three subdivisions that radiate out of Satanta. And the towering rail-served grain elevators are easy to locate.
The Whitewater’s operations are more challenging as the railroad spends considerable time in a harsh road-less desert. And Southwestern’s primary customers are copper companies that tightly restrict access.
SD40’s and SD50’s were relocated and have displaced the GP30’s. Thanks.
I always liked the GP30’s distinctive appearance. It’s one of the first models I learned to identify as a kid. Glad some of them are still around–must be more to them than good looks.
SD40’s and SD50’s, or GP40’s and GP50’s? The article says both?