| Illinois Central Gulf piggyback train P-55 was siting in the railroad's New Orleans piggyback ramp at Stuyvesnt Docks Yard, at the end of its 900-miles trip from Chicago. The locomotives were GP40's 3067, 3036 and 3069. The 3036 was a part of the IC's first order for 40 GP40's, built in 1966; but the other two were from an order of 10 units delivered in 1968. Unlike the first 60 units, which lacked many options, the 1968 units - along with five more delivered in 1969 - were fully loaded, with oscillating signal lights, L-shaped windshields, dynamic brakes, higher-speed gearing and big 3600-gallon fuel tanks. These last units also weighed nine tons more than the earlier ones. Even though the 3067's 18-year-old paint job was being protected by a generous layer of dirt, yellow primer was showing through on its nose and cab. It was rebuilt as the 3125 three years later. |