Canadian Pacific purchased its only cowl units in the late 1980s when 25 SD40-2Fs were built by Electro-Motive Division’s Canadian subsidiary GMDD in London, Ontario. These were unique with both their cowl carbody and the fact they were the last SD40-2 units built. The railroad sold 10 SD40-2Fs to Central Maine & Quebec Railway in 2015 and retired the remaining locomotives in late 2016, placing them up for sale. With no interest in the locomotives, Canadian Pacific sent the remaining SD40-2Fs along with a few surplus SD40-2 and SD40-3 locomotives to Chicago for scrapping.
Canadian National, the largest operator of six-axle cowl locomotives in North America, has retired all remaining SD60Fs on its roster. Similar to the CP SD40-2Fs, these were also built in the late 1980s by GMDD in two orders totaling 60 units. In addition, four pre-production units were built in 1985 and externally resembled the SD50F units (all now retired) being built at the same time. Several retired units were moving towards Chicago in early March to the company’s Homewood locomotive shop. With the SD60Fs now gone, This will leave 81 C40-8M cowl locomotives on Canadian National’s roster, all built by General Electric in the early 1990s.
Locomotives included in the scrap list include:
CP: SD40-2Fs to Chicago for scrapping: CP 9001-9003, 9006-9009, 9012, 9013, 9015, 9016, 9018, 9019
CN: SD60Fs retired: CN 5500-5511, 5513, 5515-5563.
Yes, you are correct saying it protected crew members while doing emergency repairs on the road. Another reason probably more significant, it also protected crew members from the elements while walking from one end to the other as a safety issue. EMD offered like cowl units in the F-series in the 1970’s that were purchased buy some class 1 railroads in the lower 48’s.
Preservation in this case doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. You can still get probably another 10-20 years out of the SD60F, maybe less than that out of the SD40-2F’s depending on the condition, but with the SD50’s, all that remain are the DMVW’s examples, the rest were scrapped. Seeing the SD60F being retired so young (less than 30 years old) doesn’t shock me, but doesn’t surprise me either. And I’ve seen a ton of these locomotives being used or passing by, because I live in Toronto. Seeing fresh units from GMD when it was in operation was almost common. And you can tell they came from there, because you can still smell that sealer coat. Since CN loves GE’s, those 81 examples will stick around for a few years.
The scrap list does not include CP’s first and last SD40-2F’s. Probably ended up on CMQ’s roster. Some SD40-2F’s were stored here in Toronto. Once a buyer for the units weren’t found, then they were moved to Chicago. That’s what I know.
Would short lines buy these? Probably, if The Price Was Right.
Stephen,
I think I remember reading somewhere that the cowls were there to give protection from the cold to the crew members if the engine needed emergency repairs out on the road. Someone may correct me on this.
The last I knew the DMVW up in North Dakota was operating a handful of Cowl units.
They are old and not needed. Might be a slight chance a few will end up on a regional, but only because if any are sold they will cheap.
Where are they being scrapped in Chicago?
How about saving one?
I think that this a shame cause I liked these engines although I only saw 1 CP SD40-2F #9004 back in 2014 and a few CN SD60F’s in Zebra Stripped colors and I thought they were pretty Awesome. I really hope a couple SD40-2F’s can get preserved especially since CP Rail was the only buyer and maybe an SD60F
The wedge indentation behind the cab was referred to as the Draper taper, named after the designer. Always hated these engines, the taper was to aid making train inspections. Big problem was not being able to see the first few cars without opening the window. Only after bitter complains did CN put mirrors on the engines. Good to be rid of them I say.
Are any being set aside for preservation? Kinda remember they had a wedge indention by the back of the cab for better back-up visibility. The design was named after the Master Mechanic who though up the design. Save one for the kids!
It may be good reporting to chronicle the rationale for the design.