WC's SD45 fleet sent to the scrapper

[wctransfer]

Guys, those WC units that MRL has arent even the well maintained ones. Those were painted by WC, and owned by Oxford Leasing. A WC partner for a while, and its pretty obvious these arent the run of the mill SD45's, look at the number.17's compared to 75's and 66s? So these units arent the great WC locomotives that we are used to.

Alec

[Anonymous]

Hi guys-

If the 1700's series on the MRL are actually ex-WC, then they are the 1701, 1718, 1724, and 1744-46. They were acquired in 1988 from the Norfolk Southern, chop nosed and painted at N. Fond du Lac. Also at the same time WC acquired 3 ex-SP SD45's, #8939, 8993, and 9093. They spent a fair amount of time on UP and CSX as lease units. They were off the property by late 1994 IIRC.

There originally were 7 units but 1737 was bought for parts. It's long hood was used to repair #6538 after a wreck.

A side note---one of these ex NS units was part of the NS experiment of hauling 500+ coal cars back in the 60's. I'll have to dig back in my collection of mags to find out which one.

[Lord Atmo]

still really depressing. in the next 5 years, we'll have nothing interesting to look at anymore. unless BNSF has as much of a variety as UP. everythign's gonna either be an ugly GE widenose or in bland armour yellow

[coborn35]

Not really.

[EJE818]

Alec, thanks for the comment on the photo. I did respond to it with another comment. I went back to Homewood last Sunday and there are even more SD45s stored then before. Some numbers are 7500, 7581 and 7500. Lord Atmo, I know you are very interested in WC 6620. I wish I had better news for you, but it was in the deadline missing its numberboards. I couldn't get any pics of it unfortunatly. Here is are three shots from Sunday's trip. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=144525 WC 7518 sits in a deadline. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=144337 I decided to get another shot of GTW 5922, it is in sad shape. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=144515 GTW 5858 waits for a assignment. Long live the WC!

[wctransfer]

Yup, ive seen those GTW and the WC ones. I check the WC daily, so i never miss a beat. And I am thankful you give us inside looks at the units. CN never bugs you?

Alec

[wctransfer]

Good news regarding the 7525 (Operation Lifesaver), was spotted on the ready tracks at Markham. I for sure thought it was a gonner, but looks like it will be on the road soon.

The unretired WC 6002 left on train 343, in fresh WC paint. Ya, thats right, the areas that were fixed are in maroon and gold!

Alec

[Lord Atmo]

did it come back from the deadline or something? at this point, i dont care what locomotive is saved. six six two zero or not. i just want to know i can go somewhere and see an SD45 in WC colors whenever i want. it beats looking at pictures any day. well, ok, i i dont want a preserved one to have the chevron nose though. i just dont like the look of it. even if it's classic.

and if the chevron nose was the first and only SD45 to have that paint on it, how come some other few units have another V-pattern on their noses of some sort? i thought the color was changed to the "inverted pine tree" style after the chevron. shame i live in wisconsin, yet i know so little about Wisconsin Central. except for what WC stands for. since i just said that...

[coborn35]

The WC SD45's are officially for sale.

[wctransfer]

Umm, sure Max (Coborn). I suppose you could buy a unit with the electronics,prime mover, traction motors, and numerous other things stripped, if you really wanted to.

It was never in the deadline Max, and the other V stripe was the scheme applied to most early painted units. Also, the 7525 was never in the deadline, just in the shops. Max, those units in the deadline WILL NOT be saved. Those units have most every useable thing stripped, and are getting the torch.

Alec

[coborn35]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wctransfer

Umm, sure Max (Coborn). I suppose you could buy a unit with the electronics,prime mover, traction motors, and numerous other things stripped, if you really wanted to.

It was never in the deadline Max, and the other V stripe was the scheme applied to most early painted units. Also, the 7525 was never in the deadline, just in the shops. Max, those units in the deadline WILL NOT be saved. Those units have most every useable thing stripped, and are getting the torch.

Alec

Well actually Alec, those units are being auctioned off! That is how CN sells stuff. Also, where do you get the idea the prime mover and traction motors stripped? You cant sell a locomotive without them........ You do relalize that units are scrapped ONLY if they cant find a buyer first...right?

[wctransfer]

Yes, i do know that people have been looking at them. But, people down there, that are IN the yard, tell me they are stripped. If you were on WCinfo you would know. And, its not ALWAYS true if they cant find a buyer, then they scrap it. They decide to put it up for sale, like CN has done before. But, some "private" deals are being made, but im not sure of what the whole deal is. Believe me, most units in the deadline are stripped.

Alec

[coborn35]

But not of Prime Movers and Traction Motors.
If they cant find a buyer as in auction....

[wctransfer]

Well, your probably right about the prime mover, but i know some of those units lined up, do actually have the traction motors stripped. Traction motors, as you know, are universal, so CN is using them for other units.

Alec

[coborn35]

Yes, I suppose some traction motors could be of use if their not shot.