General Discussion

Last month BNSF 2753 was involved in a collision with a UP train in Tacoma, WA.  Well, BNSF 2753 is on it’s way on a flatcar without it’s trucks to Topeka, KS for repairs.   I guess BNSF wouldn’t be shipping 2753 all the way from WA to KS for repairs if CECCO were still open.

http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=103936

The newer line haul locomotives are not suitable for the switching and local freight service that the GP39E is used for.

BTW, although the frame. crankcase and some of the other components on the GP39E/V/M's are 45 years old they were completely remanufactured when they were modified from GP30's and 35's so they have quite a few years of service left in them..

creepycrank:

If the UP is responsible for the damage then repairing it is a sure fire way the know what to bill them. From what I know from the original relay control system they could be a nightmare to set up and the insulation on wire of that period didn't last long before it cracked and started flaking off so there probably is a good investment in modernized controls and its a short handy size that makes it truly all purpose. Mechanically if you have enough welding rod and access to a machine shop you can keep it going forever.

 I'll have to dig out an old issue of DIESEL ERA to verify but IIRC the BN "GP39" rebuilds had completely new electrical systems with AR10 alternators replacing the original generators and DASH 2 electrical cabinets/components...