my ESPEE MODELERS ARCHIVE

California's Railroad to the U.S. 1861 - 1996

Southern Pacific/Cotton Belt

GP40M-2

65 units delivered

For all GP40M-2 photos, follow this link

If your into nitpicky type details, I have a breakdown of the GP40 family and their relevant features. Click here if your brave.

All of the SP GP40M's were GP40's of various heritage rebuilt by Morrison- Knudsen. The SSW units received Cotton Belt lettering. SP units #7100 to 7106 received standard SP paint, units #7107 to 7138 got the then new Speed Lettering - these were the last (but lowest numbered) units built. Some units received Dash-2 like dynamic brake housings. As usual, only modeling from a photograph of a chosen unit, will some semblance of accuracy be maintained.

References:

• Railfan & Railroad Jul. '91 Page 2 - SP 7107 in SP Speed Lettering
• Railfan & Railroad Sept. '91 Page 2 - SP 7102 in standard SP lettering
• Diesel Era Sep/Oct '91 Vol2 No.5 Page 14 - MK Recap article - GP40M details.
• SP into the '90's by Joe.W.Shine Page 177 - Photo's
• SP 1995 Motive Power Annual by Bill Shippen - Four Ways West Publications.
• SP in Transition by Bill Shippen and Joe Shine - Four Ways West Publications.
• Southern Pacific Rails - a motive power finale by Peter Limas has a number of images and data concerning SP/SSW GP40M's.