Amtrak’s F40M-2F locomotives: Where are they now?

 

                                        F40M-2F locomotives

A pair of Iowa Northern slug-equipped F40M-2Fs makes a nice matched consist as it hauls cars to interchange with Canadian National in Waterloo, Iowa, on Jan. 18, 2024. Chris Guss.

---

In the late 1990s, Amtrak converted a handful of its F40PH locomotives to locomotives suitable for freight service. At the time, new Genesis engines from General Electric were fast replacing its massive fleet of F40PHs in mainline service.

Amtrak would produce 14 F40M-2F locomotive that featured a number of changes, including removal of head-end power, installation of a larger fuel tank, AR10 alternator, and regeared traction motors to the standard 62-15 gear ratio found on almost all four-axle EMD freight locomotives in North America. Sheet-metal modifications included changes to the front and rear ends to accommodate steps and platforms and the addition of a door on the locomotive’s nose.

All 14 began service on Canadian American Railroad in an attractive Tuscan-and-gray scheme, similar to Canadian Pacific’s 1950s color scheme with block lettering. Following a bankruptcy of Canadian American Railroad a few years after their arrival, the locomotives continued service on the new operator Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railroad until the fleet began to slowly leave the roster in the mid-2000s. Iowa Northern and Iowa Pacific Holdings’ San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad were the two railroads that ultimately acquired the most F40M-2Fs, with a handful going to Ohio Central, Harsco Track Technologies, and Larry’s Truck Electric.

The San Luis & Rio Grande units would be upgraded with slug connections and extended range dynamic brakes, while the Iowa Northern units would receive slug connections. Iowa Pacific Holdings would use some of its F40M-2Fs on other properties across the country  as needed. Other notable changes to F40M-2Fs include the conversion of San Luis & Rio Grande No. 457 into a slug, and the return of head-end power into Iowa Northern F40M-2F No. 461 for use on company business trains.

Today, the only F40M-2Fs still in freight service are four on Iowa Northern’s roster. Other F40M-2Fs known to remain are located on Western Maryland Scenic, Age of Steam Museum, Dieselmotive, and Western Rail properties.

With Canadian National’s recent announcement of its intention to acquire Iowa Northern, the days of F40M-2Fs in freight service may be in jeopardy, since it’s a model not found on CN’s roster.