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Railpower RP20BD demonstrator RPRX 5407

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RPRX 5407

Owner: Railpower Technologies, Inc. Number:

RPRX 5407

Built: Dec. 2007 Serial Number: 1RPBDB20875000187
Genset History: Railpower 5407 (2008-present) Converted at: Canada Allied Diesel.
       
Donor Unit: BNSF 3966 (yard slug) Built: Feb. 1954
Build No.: 19234 Frame No.: 5321-B29
Unit History: UP 158B (GMD GP9B, sold Naporano 1978)    
  Santa Fe (ATSF) 125 (yard slug)    
  ATSF 1125 (renumbered)    
  BNSF 36 (merger)    
  BNSF 3966 (stored in 2004)    
  RPRX 1700 (stripped frame @ CAD to 5407)    

 

 
Notes:  
A

RPRX 1700 is an incomplete frame, currently stored at Canada Allied Diesel in Lachine. It was stripped by BNSF in Topeka for conversion to fuel cell, but apparently was shelved in favor of the 1205. From photographic evidence and information from a presentation by the Fuelcell Propulsion Institute (http://www.westcoastdiesel.org/files/meetings/2006-1212/Fuel%20Cell%20Locomotive%20Presentation.pdf) According to Railpower, this frame was used in the construction of RPRX 5407.

B

RPRX 5407 was converted from BNSF yard slug 3966. That unit was originally an EMD GP9B, built Feb. 1954, b/n 19234, f/n 5321-B29, as UP 158B. After retirement sold to Naporano in 1978, then ATSF in May 1979. Converted to yard slug ATSF 125, later ATSF 1125, then BNSF 36 and 3966. In storage since 2004. From Don Strack’s all-time UP roster (http://utahrails.net/all-time/all-time-02.php#gp9b-130b).

C
During its rebuild, RPRX 5407 was photographed at CAD in Dec. 2007 by Marc Chouinard as part of a complete tour of the plant posted as a special report on Canadian Railway Observations. Click the link to read the tour report, which includes several items relevant to Railpower.
D
RPRX 5407 has several distinctive spotting features when compared to other RP20BD's built so far. The most notable is a taller long hood, more akin to those found on the RP20CD locomotives. The taller hood also means a much smaller rear window at the top of the cab.
E
After release, 5407 spent some time on Montreal, Maine and Atlantic, St. Jean, Quebec. Demonstrations in 2008 include: MM&A, St. Jean, Quebec (May-July 2008); Montreal Wharves (Port of Montreal RR?), Montreal, Quebec (Aug. 2008). Canadian Pacific, Calgary, AB (Aug.-Nov. 2008); Belt Railway of Chicago, Chicago, IL (Nov. 2008); RJ Corman Railroad, Bardstown, KY (Dec. 2008-March 2009).
F
Build date and serial number from a photo of the builder's plate taken by Bo Gray while the 5407 was testing on RJ Corman. Unfortunately, this is the same set of data that is applied to UPY 896-899.
   
Photos:  
bnsf 1211
A roof shot of RPRX 5407 in Louisville, KY. Jan. 26, 2009. Photo by Lee Gordon. Click to enlarge.
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RPRX 5407 and EMD's 710ECO demonstrator EMDX 7102 working together in Alyth yard in Calgary, AB. Aug. 24, 2008. Photo by Cor van Steenis. Click to enlarge.
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RPRX 5407 and EMD's 710ECO demonstrator EMDX 7102 working together in Alyth yard in Calgary, AB. Aug. 24, 2008. Photo by Cor van Steenis. Click to enlarge.
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RPRX 5407 working in Alyth yard in Calgary, AB. Aug. 24, 2008. Photo by Cor van Steenis. Click to enlarge.
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RPRX 5407 working in Alyth yard in Calgary, AB. Aug. 24, 2008. Photo by Cor van Steenis. Click to enlarge.
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RPRX 5407 at Alyth yard in Calgary, AB. Aug. 19, 2008. Photo by Doug Mackenzie. Click to enlarge.
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MPEX 244 and RPRX 5407 at Alyth yard in Calgary, AB. Aug. 19, 2008. Photo by Doug Mackenzie. Click to enlarge.
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RPRX 5407 back on the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic. July 29, 2008. Photo by Pierre Fournier. Click to enlarge.
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RPRX 5407 on the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic. April 27, 2008. Photo by Edwin Van Pelt. Click to enlarge.
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RPRX 5407 on the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic. April 21, 2008. Photo by Marc Caya. Click to enlarge.
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A closer shot of RPRX 1700 at CAD in Lachine, QC. May 2007. Photo by Marc Caya. Click to enlarge.
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KCS 1869, BNSF 1211 and RPRX 1700 at CAD in Lachine, QC. May 2007. Photo by Marc Caya. Click to enlarge.
 
Additional Photos Always Accepted.

For corrections, questions or to contribute photos, please e-mail me at: potb101@aim.com. Thanks!

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