HO SD45T-2 Locomotive with DCC & Sound, Bessamer & Lake Erie #900 Overview
In the early 2000's, BLE went on the used locomotive market looking for heavy and reliable motive power. They purchased 11 former SP/SSW SD45T-2's designating them as SD40-3's. These units were rebuilt with the removal of the SP nose headlight, âLâ window cab, and large front plow. Additions included front ditch lights, a unique BLE-style cab headlight with upper gyra light and lower standard headlight, MU catches on the front pilot, and the horn being moved to the long hood.
The SD45T-2 is a six-axle diesel electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division having a 20-cylinder 645-series diesel engine producing 3600 horsepower. Over 200 examples were produced between 1972 and 1975. This locomotive including the SD40T-2 were nick-named âTunnel Motorsâ due to the rear cool air intake lowered to just above the walkway at the rear of the locomotive. This helped provide cooler air into the locomotive's radiator cooling system and ultimately reducing the chance of the engine overheating in tunnels.