Santa Fe was big on "upgrading" their older GP20, GP30, and GP35 models, not all the way to a dash-2 equivalent, but with improvements to the electrical system, 645 power packs in the 567 engine block, etc. These changes extended the life of the units at a significantly lower cost than what a new GP38-2 or GP39-2 would cost.

Many of these upgraded units have gone onto a post BNSF life with shortlines, switching operations, etc. I have personally run ex ATSF 3043 when it was leased to the shortline I work for. 3043 is a good unit, pulls good, rides good, and is relatively trouble free. My biggest complaint is that it is quite loud in the cab and the dynamic brakes don't work.



3043 is seen in Davenport Washington on 2/11/2011. Other units in this picture are 324, a GP35, 2891, a SD40T-2R "tunnel motor", 1617, a GP7, and 375, a SD45.