Great Northern 325: The SDP40 Special

Filmed September 11 & 12, 2023

Fresh from RELCO's paintshop in Albia, IA is Great Northern SDP40 325.

GN 325 is preserved, owned, and operated by the Minnesota Transportation Museum in St Paul, MN. The museum operates to Osceola & St Croix Valley Railway with operates in Osceola, WI. GN 325 is a regular workhorse in the museum's seasonal operations May-October in Osceola.

GN 325 was built in 1966, the last of 6 SDP40 produced in the United States, all for Great Northern (320-325). Interestingly, GN 325 rolled out of the EMD plant the same time as Great Northern (SD45) 400 ("Hustle Muscle"). In fact, the serial numbers for 325 (31597) and 400 (31598) are one number apart.

(GN 400 used to be housed & operated at St Paul/Osceola, and has since moved to Duluth Minnesota & the Lake Superior Railroad Museum)

GN 325 had a long career in freight and passenger service for GN, BN, & BNSF before being retired in 2008. At that time 325 was the last locomotive built/designed for passenger service still in active service at BNSF.
BNSF donated 325 to MTM in 2009, at which time it was still painted in BN's whiteface scheme.

From 2009-2022, GN 325 operated in BN colors (but GN number) for the museum while efforts were underway to repaint 325 into GN's "Big Sky Blue" scheme that it wore in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Eventually, a sizable donation from an anonymous donor made it possible for the 325 to be repainted, though under the condition to "as delivered", which was GN's "simplified orange" scheme.

In Feburary 2023 the locomotive was transported to Albia, IA and received a full repaint inside and out and various other details and mechanical work. The only thing missing is a beacon on top of the cab. The locomotive returned to Minnesota in August 2023 and moved to Osceola in September 2023 to finish the operating season alongside the museum's other two locomotives, Soo Line GP7 559 & Burlington Northern SD9 6234.

To celebrate the GN 325's restoration, Trains Magazine hosted a multi-day photo charter showcasing all the locomotives and equipment, but starring GN 325, as seen here.