SD40 or SD40-2, GP38 or GP40?

[cncproadwarrior]

How do I go about telling an SD40 from an SD40-2, a GP38 from a GP40 and so on? Is there a book(s) or a site(s) that can help me with this?

 

[River Run]

Go to this website and look them up by model.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/modelList.aspx

 

[kenw]

better yet, use the RRF spotters guide:
http://www.railroadforums.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=66

 

[UP2CSX]

If you want a paper book, The Contemporary Diesel Spotter's Guide by Jerry Pinkepack is a good one. It's slightly outdated for the newest engines out but covers the range from 1972 to about 2001, including rebuilds. Check Kalmbach Books and Amazon. There a number of diesel spotters guides available.

 

[diburning]

To answer your first question, A SD40-2 has a longer frame than a SD40. Because of that, the SD40-2 has two porches large enough to have a barbeque on, on the front and rear of the locomotive. The SD40-2 also has a sight glass on the right side of the long hood, which the SD40 does not have.

The difference between the GP38 and GP40 is that the GP40 has 3 radiator fans, and the GP38 has 2 radiator fans. Internally, the GP38 has a non-turbocharged 645 prime mover, while the GP40 had a turbocharged 645 prime mover.

 

[cncproadwarrior]

Thanks for the leads. I was searching Amazon using "trains".

I'm going to buy Pinkepack's spotter's guide and was wondering if the EMD Locomotives book by Brian Solomon was worth getting too (I am most interested in EMDs and GPs from the 1970s and 1980s.

 

[bnsf971]

Thanks for the leads. I was searching Amazon using "trains".

I'm going to buy Pinkepack's spotter's guide and was wondering if the EMD Locomotives book by Brian Solomon was worth getting too (I am most interested in EMDs and GPs from the 1970s and 1980s.

Here, follow this link:http://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Trains-America-Peterson/dp/0395701120

It's a large pocket size, and you can carry it with you. It covers older models, as well as newer models up to about the Dash 9/SD70MAC era.

 

[jbaakko]

I've also started work on a spotters guide: http://modelrailroadtips.com/index.php?op=Articles;sa=archive;section=24

 

[cncproadwarrior]

I've also started work on a spotters guide: http://modelrailroadtips.com/index.php?op=Articles;sa=archive;section=24

Josh,

Way cool!!! Just what I'm looking for.

Thanks.

 

[jbaakko]

Josh,

Way cool!!! Just what I'm looking for.

Thanks.

You're welcome. It's a project in the making, I have much more to go.

 

[cajon]

Thanks for the leads. I was searching Amazon using "trains".

If you know a book's title, use that (in quotes) as you'll find a particular book much easier.