HO SD60M Tri-Clops Locomotive, BPRR #3892

HO SD60M Tri-Clops Locomotive, BPRR #3892 Overview

Operating between Buffalo, New York and Eidenau, Pennsylvania, the Buffalo and Pittsburg Railroad runs roughly 729 miles of mostly former B&O trackage. It is a class 2 railroad that is owned by the large Genesee and Wyoming corporation. In recent years and as class 1 railroads dispose of older motive power, many smaller railroads can pick up larger power at a decent price. BPRR's lone SD60M “tri-clops” operates with the mix of other larger motive power moving freight trains all over the system.

In 1984, EMD unveiled the first four SD60 demonstrator locomotives. The SD60 was equipped with a 3,800 horsepower, 16 cylinder, turbocharged 710G3A prime mover. Five years later, EMD began offering the SD60 with the wide nose “safety” cab with the infamous “Tri-Clops” 3-piece windshield, thus creating the SD60M. The term “Tri-clops” is a popular railfan nickname that refers to the original 3-window cab design.

Union Pacific was the first road to order these new SD60M locomotives followed by Burlington Northern and SOO Line. BN's SD60M locomotives went on to the merged BNSF while the SOO Line units went to Canadian Pacific. Some of the BNSF units found more mileage with Norfolk Southern and in lease service for CEFX.