CSX’s SD40-2 fleet is approaching the end of its useful life. The company is implementing a program to rebuild the fleet, boosting the horsepower, technologic capabilities and safety of each unit.
“Current plans call for rebuilding 300 locomotives at a rate of about 40 per year,” said Gary Bethel, vice president-Mechanical. “The goal is to add another 25 to 30 years of useful life to these locomotives.”
Every system and component on the locomotive has been reviewed to determine if the components used on new locomotives would be an improvement in the performance, reliability, and maintainability of the locomotive. The improvements will include:
New crashworthy cabs
Heating and air conditioning systems
New control system
Positive train control
Modernized starting systems
The improvements will yield 3,000 horsepower, six-axle locomotives for the fleet. Their tractive power will increase from 86,000 to about 130,000 pounds, making them capable of doing the work of more modern high-horsepower units in all types of freight service including intermodal and coal.
The new crashworthy cabs are being manufactured by Motive Power in Boise, Idaho, and the rebuilding work is being done by the Huntington, W.Va., Locomotive Shop. “We determined that a new crashworthy cab is the right thing to do for the safety of our crews,” said Bethel. “We want to provide the safest work environment possible.” The older cabs were not suitable for modifications to meet crashworthy standards, he said.
“We have every confidence in the quality of work performed by the Huntington Locomotive Shop employees,” said Bethel. “The craftsmen there look out for each other and are proud of the work they are doing.”
