| HLCX 3855 GP38-2 spends New Year's Day with another Helm Geep at Union Pacific's Browder Yard. Louisville & Nashville accepted this diesel from Electro Motive as LN 4090 GP38-2 in October 1972, becoming SBD 4090 in January 1983 after the creation of Seaboard System then renumbered SBD 2600 the following year. With the formation of CSX Transportation this diesel became CSXT 2600 in April 1986 until retired on April 1, 1993 and sold to Helm for lease service becoming HLLX 2600. Initially accepted on a short term lease, Southern Pacific changed the terms to a long term lease in August 1993 and shipped this locomotive to Metro East Industries for rebuilding. But rather than emerging in a fresh coat of gray and red (like other units in this lease) it emerged in Helm blue and maroon with "SP" initials on the hood numbered SP 4864 GP38-2 on June 20, 1996. After the Union Pacific merger, this Geep was assigned UP 490 but was never renumbered and instead retired on October 13, 2003 and returned to lessor Helm becoming HLCX 3855 GP38-2 on June 20, 1996. |