LEASE UNIT; PT1

Like many other railroads, the AP&W leases locomotives on a regular basis to cover power shortages. Most lease units are more modern high-horsepower units, but older, lower horsepower units are also leased...

HLCX 6217 is an old SD40-2, built in 1973 by GMDD, the Canadian arm of EMD. This unit is ex-QNSL (Quebec, North Shore and Labrador) 242. Originally painted grey, it received this blue scheme in 2005. Note the large fuel tank.

The unit is on the point of a short passenger consist. No, it's not heading out on an excursion, but towing the cars to Cumberland, for the real excursion, behind a steam locomotive; Berkshire 1645.

The crew gather around the engine, as it prepares to depart.

This view of the front end shows some of the unique Canadian features, such as the bell mounted between the number boards, where the headlights would be on an American engine, and the lifting rings on the top of the pilot.

The roof top has piping for the air tanks, which are mounted inside the carbody, due to the massive fuel tank. The cooling vents can be seen below the radiators. Also seen is the unique location of the hand brake on the side of the rear platform.

A view of the large fuel tank. Note it has to be notched to allow space for the fuel filler spout! Sometime between 2008 and 2011, this unit was rebuilt with a conventional fuel tank; however, the air tanks remained inside the rear of the hood.

This rear view shows how the piping enters the carbody. It also shows yet another Canadian feature: vertical headlights, instead of the horizontal lights seen on US-built EMD's; and, again, lifting rings on the top of the pilot.
Next week, we look at the cars in the train -including the three domes!