Throwback Thursday - SD40 B

Soo 6450 is the trailing unit on a westbound CP freight leaving London, Ontario on March 19, 1994.

By Peter Mumby.

The locomotive featured in today's photo was originally assembled as BN SD40 number 6302 by EMD in October of 1971.  This was during the second year of Burlington Northern's existence.  Following wreck damage, it was rebuilt as a B unit, and renumbered to 7600.  The locomotive continued working for its original owner until it was retired in April of 1987. 

This retirement was short-lived, however, and by June 1987 it belonged to Soo Line and had been decked out in a fresh coat of red and white paint.  The number 6450 was assigned to this unique diesel.  By the time of this photograph, the unit was also carrying the small black "Proud to be part of CP Rail System" lettering under the side road number.  CP continued to operate the 6450 until its second retirement occurred in 2002.  In 2004 it was sold for scrap to Mandak Metals of Selkirk, Manitoba.