Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news on this otherwise happy Christmas Season, but it apprears the end is now nearer than ever. This is a quote from a message on loconotes:
Well, actually the news that came out yesterday for the WC SD45's is MUCH grimmer then you think. The following is a quote off the CN Power Chief's turnover yesterday: Q118 to pick up WC 7514 at Shops Yard and work to Markham to retire. The same goes for the other WC 7500s on the property, as we can get them swapped out, are to work to Woodcrest. Looking to get them retired before the end of the year. Get them while you can.
Noah
11-14-06
I don't get to watch trains as often as I'd like, but, fortunately, last weekend, I saw an SD45 leased unit pass above High Falls (d'town Rochester, NY), with a former BN SD40-2 in the lead, pulling a big mixed freight.
I agree. The SD45 is one of my favorite freight locos by EMD. Not only should at least one should be preserved, but should also be handed over to whichever shortline could use that much muscle.
With all the tonnage the Union RR (Pittsburgh, PA area) moves, you have 3 to 5 SW1500s straining to move all this steel, coke, etc. I don't understand why they use these little engines. A pair of SD45s would fit the bill.
Tom
Buying O Scale models of these locomotives is more appealing if the real ones are being retired and scrapped.
Andrew
Watch my videos on-line at https://www.youtube.com/user/AndrewNeilFalconer
Yes, all the DWP engines were retired over this summer. 5905, 5908, and 5911 were the last ones left. 5908 and 5911 were scrapped by TRRA, and 5905 is in the deadline at Homewood. As for the three WC SD45s that were saved, good to hear DMVW bought them. I'm sure they will get some running time over there.
EJE818 wrote:Forgot to mention earlier, DWP 5905, which is now the last DWP engine in existance, is still sitting in the northern most deadline at Homewood. Its usually the deadline southwest of the shops that the engines to be scrapped sit, and there are several lines of mixed WC SD45s and BC Rail engines sitting there.
DWP locos are out of service already! I saw them operating within the past 6 months.
Are the new locomotives that great that most of the pre-1980 units can be retired from service on CN?
More bad news, all but 4 of the BC Rail engines in the deadline are gone, most likely scrapped, this includes all of the RS18s that were there. Now there are more WC SD45s waiting to be scrapped in the same spot the RS18s were.