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I am wanting to get some model numbers of 6 axle diesels, BN, BNSF, SP, loco's so I will know what to look for for my N scale railroad. I am doing modern era. In my area of So. Calif. I see a lot of these names, but I don't know one model loco from another. My plan is to run a freight with 3 loco's. Two loco's will be powered and one will be a dummy. I want to at this time look on EBay for a loco I can get cheap, and even if it didn't run, that would be fine, I could gut it and use it as the dummy. As retirement is coming soon, I can't see the expense of buying 3 good powered loco's. Thanks.
It's hard to know what you are seeing. The type of engine depends on the job it is doing. A large heavy train traveling over grades might be an SD-70 or a Dash-9. SD-45 might be used as local trains or helpers. You might have a GP-38 doing yard switching.
Different engines are used for different applications.
If you can get closer to the engines, the model is usually written near the cab.
Just go to Wikipedia and search for EMD and GE locomotives. Thay have a pretty complete list of the locomotive models made by each company. The locomotives that look "right" really depends on your era. If it's the SP in the 1970's, SD-9's hauling a drag freight would be appropriate. If it's modern era BNSF, SD70's and SD-90's would be likely candidates.
For a modern fleet, look for SD60,SD70,SD80,and SD90, AC4400, 8-40Dash and 9-44Dash. Smaller SD's (35,40,45,50) are all older units that will be in various secondary service like switchin or locals.
