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Nice photos, wish Watco would send fresh power up here to the Kansas& Oklahoma, they've had the same 2 units on the job that comes over here for years
Thanks Jeff. We are almost the same way. 10 units to cover 4 jobs (7 GP39's and 3 GP40-2LW's).
Great shots Mark, did you'll get a good deal on those units?
Nice shots Mark, especially that third one.
Sad.
Not really; at least they're not getting scrapped or turned into gensets. I do think the crews are gonna be wishing for a/c at some point, though...
Thanks guys.
Like Michael said and I think I speak for everyone at TIBR, wish they had a/c.
Joe- I don't know all the details. Other Watco owned shortlines received some on their lines too.
Not really; at least they're not getting scrapped or turned into gensets.
I suppose going to a shortline where they will be further neglected and run down is a better fate than being scrapped or rebuilt as gensets, but I would prefer that we keep them ourselves. While they are getting a bit long in the tooth, I really like working with the GPs and it is sad to see any of them go. It was not that long ago that we were still purchasing more of them, but now it appears that they are starting to go the way of the SD40s. Before we know it, they will be another rarity. I have heard that customers are being told that they need to be accessible by 6 axle power or they will no longer be served, so it seems the writing is on the wall for the demise of the GPs on the BNSF. I wonder if the outfit Martin Burwash works for has heard anything to that effect.
I can hardly wait to flat switch with a Dash 9: "Kick 'em!", then go get a cup of coffee, take a leak, wash up and come back just in time for it to start loading so you can grab the pin. Yay.
Iron Bender's last sentence hits the nail on the head. Want to get up and go, use an EMD(especially anything second generation, though SD70Ms aren't that bad). Want to pull, use a GE(especially an ES44AC, best motive power product from Erie so far). Sad to see the Geeps beginning to disappear(go thing I got to get pics of these when I worked out of the Northwest not too long ago). As long as they go to "good homes", I guess.
Well, CP is repainting alot of thier 38s into the ugly No-Beaver scheme, so at least THEY aren't planning on dumping theirs off at someone else's doorstep anytime soon.
What is your malfunction?
I think we still have some of the GP39M's & E's on the roster.
Note that these are pre Dash-2 GP39s. Dash-2 made locomotives more reliable, it makes sense that a Class 1 would rather have them than a locomotive with miles upon miles or wires, etc.
Note that these are pre Dash-2 GP39s. Dash-2 made locomotives more reliable, it makes sense that a Class 1 would rather have them than a locomotive with miles upon miles or wires, etc.
They do have -2 electricals, these were all rebuilt into GP39E/V/M's (depending on who did the work) which part of the rebuild was upgrading them to -2 electricals. Or maybe I'm wrong, and the 2900 and 2888 I was on today are a fluke having a -2 style clean air cabinet and a -2 card rack.
Note that these are pre Dash-2 GP39s. Dash-2 made locomotives more reliable, it makes sense that a Class 1 would rather have them than a locomotive with miles upon miles or wires, etc.
From my switchman's perspective, I have not noticed the pre -2 GPs that I have used being any less reliable that the -2 models. And in fact, the pre -2 models are my favorite to flat switch with because they load lightning fast. When you ask for a kick out of one, you have better mean it and be ready for it.
They do have -2 electricals, these were all rebuilt into GP39E/V/M's (depending on who did the work) which part of the rebuild was upgrading them to -2 electricals. Or maybe I'm wrong, and the 2900 and 2888 I was on today are a fluke having a -2 style clean air cabinet and a -2 card rack.
You're right. These units are all GP39Es that were rebuilt from GP35s; the space between the radiator fans (where the 28" fan used to be, and still is on 2877) is a dead giveaway.
They do have -2 electricals, these were all rebuilt into GP39E/V/M's (depending on who did the work) which part of the rebuild was upgrading them to -2 electricals. Or maybe I'm wrong, and the 2900 and 2888 I was on today are a fluke having a -2 style clean air cabinet and a -2 card rack.
Fair enough. I was going off the title.
I think we still have some of the GP39M's & E's on the roster.
From May until September I managed to capture 6 GP39E/M's in New Westminster, BC, so they are still out there. They have been used for switching and running SRY transfers.
Looks good Mark, you guys take care down there in Silsbee. I miss some of you guys for sure.
Definitely think those units will be better for the TIBR than the Canadian rejects that dont make full HP until 22 mph.
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