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3/28/2024
 
 
 
 
 
Owner: Amtrak
Model:EMD SDP40FBuilt As:AMTK 525 (SDP40F)
Serial Number:72694-26Order No:72694
Frame Number:72694-26Built:7/1973
Other locos with this serial:  AMTK 525(SDP40F)
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AMTK 523
Title:  AMTK 523
Description:  Amtrak's #3, the "Southwest Limited," crosses the Los Angeles River as it approaches its final destination at Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal early in the morning in February 1974. A trio of EMD SDP40F diesels (523, 525 and 505), from Amtrak's first order of new power, leads the train on this day. In the early days of Amtrak, Santa Fe would not allow the use of their "Super Chief" name to be used by Amtrak, hence the train's early moniker "Southwest Limited." In October 1984, Santa Fe deemed Amtrak's improvements to this train sufficient and the railroad allowed the use of their trademarked name to be used by Amtrak, and the old "Super Chief" was reborn as the "Southwest Chief." Note that the old Santa Fe advertising on the bridge was still in place, and that the L.A. River's concrete banks are not covered in graffiti! (And what appears to be graffiti on the retaining wall on the left, behind the cut of cars, is actually an old advertisement.)
Photo Date:  2/1/1974  Upload Date: 12/21/2012 5:39:53 PM
Location:  Los Angeles, CA
Author:  Craig Walker
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AMTK 523(SDP40F) AMTK 525(SDP40F) AMTK 505(SDP40F)
Views:  1219   Comments: 1
Amtrak 525
Title:  Amtrak 525
Description:  NORMAN OK -- Amtrak SDP40F 525, hauling the northbound Lone Star, pulls to a stop in Norman. Regrettably I neglected to date this slide but it is in the early years of Amtrak as evidenced by the red nose and headless arrow. Therefore the date listed is a best guess. I worked as wire editor for The Norman Transcript and we used this photo to illustrate Amtrak's plans to discontinue the Lone Star Route. Ironcally the picture and story were on the front page of our annual Progress Edition. The edition extolled the virtues and progressof Norman and the surrounding area.
Photo Date:  1/1/1975  Upload Date: 7/13/2011 7:39:06 PM
Location:  Norman, OK
Author:  Charles Stookey
Categories:  Passenger
Locomotives:  AMTK 525(SDP40F)
Views:  470   Comments: 1
AMTK 525
Title:  AMTK 525
Description:  AMTK 525
Photo Date:  8/4/1975  Upload Date: 7/3/2007 1:24:03 PM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Tim Vermande
Categories: 
Locomotives:  AMTK 525(SDP40F) AMTK 516(SDP40F)
Views:  685   Comments: 0
AMTK 525
Title:  AMTK 525
Description:  AMTK 525 leads one of the first runs of new Amfleet equipment on the "San Diegan". The trailing F40PH needs an ATS shoe before it can be on the point.
Photo Date:  5/15/1976  Upload Date: 12/1/2014 8:51:59 PM
Location:  Fullerton, CA
Author:  Ron Hawkins
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives:  AMTK 525(SDP40F)
Views:  177   Comments: 0
AMTK 525
Title:  AMTK 525
Description:  AMTK 525 will need to fnd other assignments as F40PHs and Amfleet cars take over the "San Diegans".
Photo Date:  5/15/1976  Upload Date: 12/1/2014 8:52:24 PM
Location:  Fullerton, CA
Author:  Ron Hawkins
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  AMTK 525(SDP40F)
Views:  205   Comments: 0
Amtrak SDP40F #525
Title:  Amtrak SDP40F #525
Description:  Digital image from Kim E. Piersol original 35mm Kodachrome transparency. ICG Markham Yard.
Photo Date:  11/7/1976  Upload Date: 8/18/2006 8:57:23 PM
Location:  Homewood, IL
Author:  Kim Piersol
Categories: 
Locomotives:  AMTK 525(SDP40F)
Views:  621   Comments: 0
Amtrak SDP40F 525
Title:  Amtrak SDP40F 525
Description:  Amtrak SDP40F 525 at about 22nd Street in Chicago, Illinois on an unknown day in July 1978, Ektachrome by Chuck Zeiler.
Photo Date:  7/1/1978  Upload Date: 6/25/2011 12:21:26 PM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Passenger
Locomotives:  AMTK 525(SDP40F)
Views:  267   Comments: 0
Amtrak SDP40F 509
Title:  Amtrak SDP40F 509
Description:  Amtrak SDP40F 509 waiting for clearance at 18th Street in Chicago, Illinois on an unknown day in August 1979, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. The only E-units I can identify are 444 (in the middle) and 421 (on the right), could not identify the rear-facing E. Number 509 was built June 1973 (c/n 72694-10) and was traded back to EMD for parts use in the construction of F40PH 372. It has skid-mounted steam generators, rumored (but never fully substantiated, track maintenance was also suspect) to have been part of the derailment fault of these particular locomotives. The steam generators themselves were not at fault, but the location of the tanks that supplied the water may have played a role. It was suggested that the location of the tanks inside the rear of the locomotive against the outer walls was a problem when entering a curve at high speed. The water tended to go straight, pulling the rear of the locomotive out of the curve and against the outer rail. This in turn was transmitted to the following car, generally a lightly loaded baggage car, which then derailed. Earlier conclusions focused on the hollow bolster truck, but freight locomotives had used the same truck design without problem. The problem may have disappeared by itself had Amtrak removed the steam generators and replaced them with HEP power plants, as had been the plan from the beginning, but instead most of the SDP40F's were traded back to EMD and scrapped, with components used in the construction of the F40PH's. The bridge in the background is the ICG's Saint Charles Air Line.

For these locomotives to be of any use to Amtrak in the near future, they will have to be turned, and the quickest way at this location would be to wye them through Union Avenue Interlocking, so we are probably looking at a typical 'hurry up and wait' situation until traffic clears.

Photo Date:  8/1/1979  Upload Date: 12/10/2010 9:36:40 AM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Yard
Locomotives:  AMTK 509(SDP40F) AMTK 525(SDP40F)
Views:  3557   Comments: 0


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