Train of Life (unknown Author)

At birth, we boarded the train of life and met our parents, and we believed that they would always travel by our side. However, at some station, our parents would step down from the train, leaving us on life's journey alone.

As time goes by, some significant people will board the train: siblings, other children, friends, and even the love of our life.

I've had a thing for GP30s ever since that day in 1987 when I got a cab ride in UP 804 - my first such ride in a diesel.  That day convinced me (for a time) that I was meant to be a UP modeler, and while I didn't yet have a layout, I later modeled the 804.  My very first kitbash, that project consumed my limited hobby time through two busy years following college.  

My favorite IAIS locomotives aren't, well...IAIS locomotives.  I've always liked second-generation EMD SDs, so when LLPX SD38-2s 2802, 2805, 2807, and 2809 were leased, and later purchased, by the IAIS, they became naturals as future modeling subjects.  

With my IAIS locomotive roster projects winding down, one of the last remaining road units to build was SD38-2 2809.  It joins sisters 2802 and 2805, so I thought I'd include photos of all three in the post below for comparison.