SD40-2s on the CPR: Almost Gone, But Not Forgotten

As readers of this blog know, I like the SD40-2.

That’s one reason why the M & M Sub. is set in the early 1990s. That’s when the venerable locomotive, which was produced by EMD from 1972-89, was in plentiful supply on CP Rail.

At one time, CP Rail had 486 of the units (compared to just 123 on CN).

You won’t find much in the way of newer power on the layout. The most current units are two AC4400s, which had just begun to arrive on the railway in 1995.

Time on the layout is frozen, in other words.

But time in the real world marches on. 

And, as it does, there are fewer and fewer SD40-2 units in operation on what is now called the CPR.

Currently, there are only eight active SD40-2 locomotives in service on the CPR.

There are 192 SD40-2s still on the roster, along with seven SD40-2Fs (Red Barns). 

All except 11 are tied-up unserviceable (the eight active units, plus three others stored serviceable).

Soon there will be no SD40-2s on the CPR roster. Like the steam locomotives of old, they will just be a memory.

At least they can still keep rolling on the M & M Sub.

Thanks to David Stowe of Railfan & Railroad for the update.