The SDP45 was a version of the 3,600-horsepower, six-axle SD45 with the “P” indicating that they were built for passenger service. The SDP45s were longer than the SD45s to allow room for a steam generator at the back. The steam generator provided “hotel power” for heating, air conditioning and hot water in passenger cars.
In 1967, GN introduced their “Big Sky Blue” paint scheme. John M. Budd, president of GN, hired communications and design consultants J. Gordon Lippincott and Walter P. Margulies to create the new corporate color. This scheme featured a dark gray top, large white stripe in the center, and Big Sky Blue below.
“Cascade Green” replaced the Big Sky Blue scheme after GN merged with several other western railroads to form Burlington Northern (BN) in 1970. After Amtrak assumed responsibility for most rail passenger service in 1971, the ex-GN SDP45s were converted from passenger to freight service and renumbered 9856-9863, and later 6592-6599, by BN. All were retired by the end of 1987.
The above photo was taken in 1967 and shows GN 333 painted with the Big Sky Blue design leading the famous Empire Builder through Pinnacle, Montana. (from the Friends of BNSF website)
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