Just about at the end of the F-unit era in this photo. Interestingly, Mike, by the time of this photograph, the BN had already acquired the last of its 838 SD40-2's-- in July, 1980--but continued with more C30-7's for coal service into 1981. By then the recession took care of any need for big new road units. The next mainline ponies to appear were the 120 B30-7 "B units" in 1982. By the time business started to come back around, it was time for the GP50s in 1987, and BN's foray into Power-by-the-Hour leases with Oakway SD60s and LMX B39's. Like you said, though, it wasn't until the SD70MACS started arriving in 1994 that the SD40-2's dominance was endangered.
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