Georgia Road Transportation

SD10 SD18M SD20 H15

Three quarters of the Alabama Midland Railroad (AMRR) heritage short lines and branches were composed of Class 3 and excepted track at its start up. It did have the well-maintained former CSX (ex-SAL) secondary main known as the ” Bow Line” from Montgomery, AL to Thomasville, GA where the large SD six axles roamed. Much of the routes feeding into the Bow Line were light rail or possessed bridges banning the heavy SDs. While suited for first Generation four axle road switchers, SD units allowed longer trains with better tractive effort while spreading the load on the sometimes less than opportune trackage on these branch lines. Along with a group of ex-MILW SDL39 units purchased from Soo Line Railroad (SOO) in the early 1990s, the AMRR purchased a “baker’s dozen” of first generation rebuilt SD10 units. These SD7 and SD9 rebuilds done my MILW in the early 1970s, and like the SDL39s were orphaned after the SOO-MILW merger. SOO parent Canadian Pacific Railroad saw them as odd units on the combined SOO-MILW roster built around standard 38 and 40 series locomotives. AMRR acquired both the SDL39 and SD10s for use on the gaggle of branches it referred to as the Georgia Grain operations with units assigned to the AMRR, Wiregrass Central (WGCR), Atlantic & Gulf Railroad (AGLF) and Georgia Southwestern Railroad (GSWR) in South Georgia and South Alabama. These branches spread out over the four short line division mentioned above consisted of a mix of medium and light density branches serving agriculture and manufacturing interests across South Georgia and the Wiregrass region of Alabama.

The thirteen SD10 units purchased by the AMRR were created out of SD7 and SD9 cores by MILW at its West Milwaukee Shops. Completed units were typically assigned to branch lines in Iowa and the Dakotas as replacements for worn out ALCO RSC units. The thirteen AMRR units were a mix of early and later rebuilds, spotted by the type of retrofit air filters ducting. Early models utilized the Horsch version and later rebuilds featured the Farr version. AMRR had the units shopped and rebuilt with remanufactured 16-645Es (2000 hp). This was a similar conversion MILW did for their GP20 rebuilds which AMRR also purchased, but due to costs, did not continue during the original creation of the SD10 models. Stephens Railcar Services did the work in the late 1990s, with the SD10s emerging re- rated at 2000hp but keeping the SD10 model designation. The 2000hp version of the SD10 worked interchangeably with the GP38L and GP38-2L units assigned over the AMRR system, making the SD10 upgrade a good balance of light weight and medium horsepower. Without turbochargers, the units proved easier to maintain with above average availability. The AMRR units operated in much the same role as with the MILW, working light branches with occasional pinch-hitting on road trains linking the branches to the AMRR terminals at Dothan, AL and Albany, GA.

Along with the SD10 units, AMRR continued to piecemeal the gaps in the rosters anywhere it could find a deal. three former IC Paducah SD20 (SD24 core) units were purchased from NRE in the 1990s. These units had substantial electrical and cab upgrades not present on the SD10 units. However, their similarity to the AMRR SD10 upgrade to the 645E 2000hp version made them ample roster-mates for the SD10s. These units tended to work mainline and interchange train assignments out of Dothan and Albany terminals.

When CSX began purging the last of its non 40 series models, AMRR got a deal on five SD35M locomotives rebuilt by SCL during the Family Lines Era to work the Hump Yard at Waycross. Some hump assigned units received upgraded E-8 primemovers uprated to 1500hp while most were simply. AMRR replaced the primemovers in three with 2000hp 645E blocks. Two B&O units rebuilt to SD20 yard switchers rounded out the group. These required no upgrades to match up with roster mates. These units were assigned to the GC and GSWR mostly, though one was transferred to Birmingham for terminal operations under the Birmingham Southern RR (BSRR).

Road Number	Number Of Units	Paint Scheme	Notes
AMRR GSWR AGLF 550-561	13	Various Schemes	exx-MILW, ex-SOO SD10 rebuild by MILW; upgraded to 645E primemover and assigned to AMRR, GSWR and AGLF light trackage; 555 has angled EMD cab due to wreck repair by MILW of the original MILW SD9; In service.
AGLF	3	Various Schemes	exx-SOU, ex-ICG Paducah rebuild SD20; purchased through HELM Leasing: assigned to AMRR, GSWR and AGLF light trackage; In service.
GC GSWR BSRR	5	Various Schemes	exx-SAL ex CSXT rebuilds for heavy yard switching; SCL deturboed SD35 and SD35P units for use at Waycross, GA hump yard; AMRR bought units after CSX retired them and upgraded to 645E block rated at 2000hp; Assigned use on AMRR, GSWR and AGLF light trackage; In service.
AGLF	2	Various Schemes	exx-B&O, ex-CSXT “Queensgate SD20”: Deturboed SD35 units converted to heavy yard switching; Acquired by AMRR for general use on AGLF; In service.