CSX's Far Out SD40-2 Rebuild That Sounds Like A Heavy Lift Helicopter

[ENR3005]

For decades we have watched EMD provide various rebuild options for various older power, providing some neat and unique rebuilt power. GE / Wabtec has really never been able to break into that market until recently when CSX arranged for a small group of SD40-2's to be rebuilt with new I-6 GEVO 2,300 HP engines. No this is not some late April Fools railfan prank, these rebuilds are really happening and a apparent and radical first for the historic SD40-2 courtesy of some Engineering folks at Wabtec who are pushing the envelope of creativeness and clearly sending a message to the railroads they are open for business with their own rebuild options for any power. They call these new locomotives a ET23DCM or SD23T4 which are decked out with all sorts of Tier4 equipment and computers, would be neat to get some shots of the cab interior which I have searched to no avail. The sound that is put out of these locomotives with the small GEVO engine is almost as unique as EMD's original 645 engine. There appears to be some serious turbocharging of these small GEVO engines with their 6 cylinders and as a result it sounds like a heavy lift helicopter. Think of a SD40-2 with a Skycrane helicopter's engines which sound almost just as loud as the helicopter itself. Check out the video below with the unit doing it's trial runs. The first time you watch it, you will likely think like I did that there is a helicopter ruining the shot until you realize that is the sound of the new GEVO. Go to 1:36 in the video and start watching and you will see what I mean, what a different and unexpected sound. Wonder if this is a one off order or if more will acquired by CSX and other railroads if it proves to be a worthy rebuild. I can only imagine Wabtec is all in making sure this trial run is successful setting the tone for future potential orders. The rebuild defiantly gives the SD40-2 a new look and a truly unique sound. You don't need to go to airshows anymore to watch choppers, we have them on rails now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD8mmh22cik

[AmericanSteam]

Impressive. Regarding turbo chargers, air is cheap and helps with more complete combustion thus reducing emissions that must be "cleaned" before exhausting. As an automotive diesel technician, I have seen what sophisticated engine monitoring can accomplish. They have come a long way from those old 2 stroke diesels.