An ex-DRGW GP40-2 and an ancient NS SD9M.

DRGW3126GB_290902

BY 2002, UNPATCHED Denver & Rio Grange Western units were extremely rare, especially when the size of the Union Pacific system was taken into account. However, your chances of finding them were higher if you started on the old Rio Grange system, and this view of GP40-2 No. DRGW 3126 was recorded at the ertswhile railroad’s North Yard, Denver, Colorado, on September 29th, 2002. The light was fading fast by the time the hostler had shuffled it into a photographable position!

NS51GB_270402

Largely forgotten are Norfolk Southern’s small number of rebuilt SD9M locomotives, which have lasted well into the 2000s. This example, No. NS 51, was built in 1957 as Nickel Plate Road No. NKP 343, and it is pictured at entering the servicing roads at NS’ massive Bellevue Yard complex in Ohio, on April 27th, 2002. It is coupled, rather incongruously, to a Dash 9-40CW!