my ESPEE MODELERS ARCHIVE

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

Cotton Belt GP40R

rebuilt to GP40R's 7960-7967 in 1982

8 units rebuilt

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

The Cotton Belt GP40R's were rebuilt (and renumbered 7960 - 7967) in 1982, and setup as 'Slug Mothers' to run with the TEBU's. To nip any arguments in the bud, when rebuilt these were classified EF430CR-1, making these GP40R's.

The TEBU sets operated stone trains trains in Texas and lumber trains in Oregon, photo's also have them just about anywhere else, sometimes not where you'd expect them at all...
They may also be seen at points in between as they cycle in for maintenance/repairs.

Four GP38-2's (4839 - 4841 and 4843) were modified for snowfighting service, part of the modifications involved swapping their Blomberg M (Dash-2) trucks for Blomberg B's from SSW units, so as to get 4 brake shoes. SSW GP40 #7960 has Blomberg M's as well as #7965, the other two units are still a mystery...

References:

• Model Railroad Craftsman Nov. '66 Page 37 - GP40 Plans, even has a photo of SSW 7600 as delivered.
• SP 1987/88 Motive Power Pictorial by Joe.W.Shine, Page 100.- Photo's.
• SP.....into the '90's by Joe.W.Shine, Page 174. - Also has some photo's of these units.

additional information on this page supplied by Galen Coupe.