BHP/Nevada Northern #204
Exhibit Code
#204

Description
Electro-Motive Diesel, better known as EMD, started in 1922 as Electro-Motive Engineering Corporation building self-propelled railcars. In 1930, General Motors (GM) purchased EMC, renamed EMD in 1941. EMD became the premier builder of diesel locomotives, only surpassed by GE in the late 1980’s.
In 1951, EMD began producing a six-axle version of its popular GP7, called an SD7. Production ended in November 1953, replaced by the SD9. The SD9 used EMD’s 567C V16 engine, which produced 250 more horsepower than the 567B used in the SD7. The increased horsepower interested railroads, as 515 were built, 471 for American railroads. The railroad crews nicknamed them “Cadillacs” due to their smooth ride.
The largest purchaser of SD9 locomotives was the Southern Pacific Railroad, purchasing 150 over three orders. Some were sent for service in Oregon, while others stayed in California working in Roseville and Tehachapi.
Starting in 1965, SP began renumbering their fleet to have one numbering and classification scheme between them and their subsidiaries, with the SD9 locomotives starting with #3800. Repainting was done in the 1960’s into a grey with red paint scheme (Bloody Nose).
By the mid 1970’s, SP’s SD9 fleet was wearing out. As they were still useful for switching and branch line service and new locomotives were expensive, the Southern Pacific elected to send the fleet to Sacramento for rebuilding.
They emerged as SD9E locomotives, and despite only planned for 10 more years of service, most lasted into the mid 1990’s. Many were sold off to short lines, where they operated for many more years. Even today, there are still a few in active freight service!
Locomotive #204 started life as #5468, built during the third order. During the 1965 renumbering, it was given the number #3942, and after rebuilding in 1976 given #4426. Retired by Southern Pacific in July 1995, it was sold to Progressive Rail Service (a dealer) in November.
In January 1996, Broken Hill Proprietary, Ltd (BHP), purchased Magma Copper Company. Magma had purchased the Robinson Mine from Kennecott, and had been preparing the facility for operation. BHP created BHP Nevada Railroad to operate over the Nevada Northern between the Union Pacific interchange at Shafter (former Western Pacific) and the new mill facility at Sunshine near Ruth.
To operate the railroad, the railroad purchased 5 SD9E locomotives from Progressive Rail, including #4426. These were renumbered #201-205, with #4426 becoming #204. In 1998, #204 & #205 were painted in a blue and yellow scheme over the former SP paint, which can still be seen on the locomotive.
On June 25, 1999 BHP ended Robinson Mine operations, with the last ore concentrate train leaving July 9. In 2000, as part of the track leasing arrangement, the Nevada Northern Railway Museum received the equipment and rolling stock of BHP Nevada Railroad. #202, #203, and #205 were sold in November 2000 to the Colorado, Kansas, & Pacific, leaving #204 at the museum. #201 had been pulled from service due to a main generator short, and was used for parts before being scrapped.
#204 is the workhorse of the Museum, as it does not date from the historic 1905-1983 time period. #204 can often be found pulling work trains, and thanks to the plows on the locomotive is used for snow removal. Thanks to the locomotive’s dynamic brakes, #204 is the primary locomotive for the Santa’s Reindeer Flyer, temporarily renumbered #1225.
Historical Archive
You can find more information about this article in our Historical Archive hosted on Luma Imaging.
Specifications
Builder: EMD #21293
Built: February 1956
Type: SD9E
Horsepower: 1,750
Weight: 360,000 lbs. (180 tons)
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