UP DDA40X 6925 (Chamberlain, South Dakota)

Comments

• 
  kewaskum

  The shell of 6925 is pretty much intact. When Dakota Southern purchased it, it had been cannibalized by the UP. The selling price reflected its condition. It had no traction motors. The wheelsets were worn, just within tolerance for shipment. The two prime movers had been pulled for reuse. In their place were two 645E3B "Heavy Block" Diesels, perhaps from SD40-2 units. They were both B/O account of having thrown rods. It is my understanding that trade in units had to have major components in place. The engines were never bolted up to the AR12 alternators. Dakota Southern bought the unit for its value as a parts source. All three ex-MILW SD7/9 units had 567C prime movers with 645 power packs. That gave us 2 x 15 power assemblies as spares, plus water pumps, oil pumps, etc. We were pleasantly surprised when we discovered the Heavy Block 645s were in great demand as cores for commuter locomotives being built by M-K and others. The two B/O blocks were sold to M-K. The AR-12s were sold to National Railway Equipment, as their higher output made them attractive for load-boxing newly overhauled prime movers. Dakota Southern was never in position to restore the unit. It didn't make much sense on 65# rail which the "main line" was mostly. It wasn't until 2005 that Dakota Southern was able to piggyback on the BNSF's desire to purchase South Dakota state owned track it was leasing. As part of the purchase, BNSF agreed to grant Dakota Southern access to UP, CN and D&I in Sioux City, CP via DMV&W at Aberdeen and the DM&E at Wolsey. To quote ML King, "Free at last". Effective 10-1-09, the company was sold to the current owners. They have no particular use for the unit. Meth-heads have stolen the copper cabling to the traction motors from beneath the walkways, making restoration less likely. There was a time when running SD40-2 units were being sold at auction by the UP for $25,000. If DSRC had had the money at the time and a use for the unit, a case could have been made to restore it using two SD40-2s as donors. Pragmatically, the better business case would be to put two SD40-2s into service.

  12 years ago | reply | hide comment
• 
  kewaskum

  The above is from Alex Huff, retired DSRC co-owner.

  12 years ago | reply | hide comment