Diesel Era Extra Board

Louisville & Nashville 3007 at DeCoursey, Ky., on December 8, 1966. This paint scheme is the as-delivered appearance. The yellow badge on the cab side includes GP40 identification; this was a brass plate the road added after delivery. L&N 1304 is a 1964-built Alco C-420; the road spread motive power purchases around in the 1960s including Alco, EMD, and GE. —Ray Sabo photo, Paul Wester collection

Louisville & Nashville GP40s: 3000-3029

by Diesel Era Staff/photos as noted

Louisville & Nashville (L&N) purchased two groups of GP40 diesel locomotives for a total roster count of 30 units. The first 10 (3000–3009) locomotives were delivered in late 1966 and the 20-unit second order (3010–3029) came approximately one year later in fall 1967. The first units are spotted as Phase Ia3 models and included 3,200-gallon fuel tanks. The second group are Phase IIa2 with 2,600-gallon fuel tank capacity.

Photos in this survey of L&N GP40s are from Paul Wester and Kevin EuDaly collections. Thanks to Paul Ellis, Steven D. Johnson, and Stuart Thayer for their contributions.

ABOVE: Louisville & Nashville 3003 (32446, 5718-4) in July 1978. This unit became Seaboard System 6800, then CSX 6800. —Photographer unknown, Kevin EuDaly collection

ABOVE: Louisville & Nashville 3010 (33449, 7075-1) at Atlanta, Ga., on October 14, 1976. This is first unit of the road’s second order for GP40s, this group of 20 came in September 1967. —Alan Miller photo, Paul Wester collection

ABOVE: Louisville & Nashville 3006 in 1976. L&N 2503 and 2500 are both upgraded U-Boats; originally built as U28Bs in late 1966 and upgraded to U30Bs. —Photographer unknown, Kevin EuDaly collection

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