In
early 1973, Santa Fe instituted a rebuilding program for their large fleet of
SD-24s; the end result of this program was the SD-26. Fairly extensive modifications
were made to the locomotives, making them visually distinct from stock SD-24s.
The addition of an inertial air filtering system created a “hump” directly behind
the cab. This, in turn, caused the 4 roof-top air tanks to be separated and relocated
further back along the edges of the roof. A “second generation” EMD-style traction
motor blower bulge was included on the left side of most rebuilt locomotives.
Other spotting features included the addition of a cab-top beacon and air conditioner
on most units, as well as the relocation of the bell to the roof. Most SD-26s
were retired by Santa Fe in 1985 and 35 of these units were sold to Guilford Transportation
Industries in 1986. Of this group, at least 3 were still in service for Guilford
as of January 2004, over 44 years after they were built.
With over 220 units produced by EMD between July 1958 and March 1963, the SD-24
locomotive generated a total of 2,400 hp with its turbocharged 567D-3 prime mover
and C-C wheel arrangement. The
majority of SD-24s produced were purchased by four roads: Chicago Burlington &
Quincy, Santa Fe, Southern, and Union Pacific.
- Road
Switcher
- Trucks:
C-C
- Prime
Mover: 2400 horsepower 567D3 16-cylinder engine
- Produced:
7/58 to 3/63
- 179
sold in the US plus 45 B units
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