One of the most interesting additions to the SLR motive power fleet was a pair of GP40X's, extremely rare (23 built) high-traction units that originally ran on US Class-1 railroads.  These ones were owned originally by the Southern Railway (later Norfolk Southern) and rebuilt with low noses for leasing.  Unlike the GP40X's purchased by SP and UP, these ones had standard Blomberg M trucks from the start.  Engine sounds are similar to those of GP40s--the GP40X's had their prime movers derated from 3500 horsepower to 3000 when rebuilt for service on the SLR.  The flared radiators, raised walkways on both sides and 1-foot length increase distinguish the GP40X from the GP40 and GP40-2 visually.

At the beginning of 2003, the two GP40X's left the SLR and headed down to Mexico for a major rebuild.  In early 2004, they returned to the line in fresh GNWR orange, yellow and black colours.  They are now reclassified as GP40M-3's and used as slug mothers in two of the four road slug sets used on the SLR starting in 2004.

All recordings are 22050 Hz unless otherwise noted.

 
Recorded July 22, 2002, 48 seconds
Re-transferred September 27, 2006
22,050 Hz compressed, 332 KB
44,100 Hz, 2,092 KB

On a scorching and bright July afternoon, GP40X 3209 and GP40s 3001 and 3203 charge uphill in a burst of hot air and diesel exhaust, with whining radiator fans and 3 16V-645E3 engines letting loose 9000 horsepower.  Stretched out nearly a mile behind the engines were the 75 cars of mixed freight of train 394.  With the lack of an air conditioner and with the temperature far above 90 degrees (32 Celsius) in the shade, the crew could only slide the windows and swing the cab doors open for a little old-style air conditioning, in the hope that the intense heat from the three labouring engines would stay behind them.  GP40 3001 put out a cloud of black smoke every so often like in the photo, as it did for a lot of the summer.  Without any bells, whistles, cars or trucks, this recording is for fans of EMD engine sounds.

Recorded July 24, 2002, 1 minute 22 seconds
Re-transferred September 27, 2006
22,050 Hz compressed, 562 KB
44,100 Hz, 3,554 KB

Whistling for a country road crossing in the distance then approaching on a long straight stretch of track, the same trio of locomotives worked upgrade on a more pleasant afternoon two days later.  Standing in an open spot good for picture-taking will invariably result in a beep-beep greeting from an SLR engineer, two in this case.  The 30-mph pace (50 km/h) maintained by the three units belied the long string of mixed freight and intermodal cars behind them--over 85 in all.

Recorded August 03, 2002, 59 seconds
22,050 Hz compressed, 315 KB

Another set of run-8 Geeps (at first in run 7) led by 3209, this time with GP40s 3206 and 3001 and GP40X 3210 following.  A 68-car 394 freight rolled behind.  The long whistle blasts only emphasized how discordant the P5 horn on 3209 really is, classic for railroads such as Norfolk Southern and Illionois Central that often use P-series horns.  Just audible over the sound of the engines is what sounds like the engineer shouting "hello!" out the window.

Recorded May 22, 2002, 46 seconds
22,050 Hz compressed, 315 KB

I had positioned myself ready for the 394 freight, only to be surprised by the sudden horn blast of 3210 leading GP40 3001 on a 6-car local headed in the opposite direction to Shebrooke.  Rolling downhill at 40 miles an hour, the train is quiet at first, then approaches with characteristic clicking on jointed rails, rushes past suddenly, and is gone within seconds.  The P5 horn is similar to the one on 3209 but more in tune.