Burlington Northern E-Units turned mothballs

[Anonymous]

I know that several years ago, my local rail commuter line MARC retired the E-Units that it had picked up from BN and Metra. I thought they went to the scrap yard a long time ago, but in driving along I-95 South, I passed the MARC shops and happened upon an unusual sight - a red RS-3 sitting outside the engine shops (a rare enough sight in intself)....and that speck of red gave way to flashes of BN green - the E-units! I was just wondering if anyone knows if MARC has any plans for the units. Are they stored operational? Are they back up power for commuter rushes? What is the fate of these pieces of locomotive history? Are they still on the offical MARC roster of motive power? Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Bill

[Anonymous]

The red RS3 belongs to Maryland & Delaware RR; it's been there off and on for a year. I don't see much activity around it. There are two MARC E-9's parked next to the shop; they've been there since being removed from service about a decade ago. We moved them into the shop for MARC earlier this year. A shopman told me they were going to convert them to cab cars, as MARC sometimes runs short of them. Well, after several days, they were put back in their usual spot. I think they probably are too far gone.

[eolafan]

Wow, sitting at MARC shops for a decade! Seems like just yesterday that I could go out to the BN (now BNSF) main through my home town of Aurora, IL and see BN Green E9 units at just about any time I wanted, now they are long gone, and replaced by F40's in a couple of variations, and now they are starting to go away (although VERY slowly) in favor of the new MPI units (which we like here very much). Jim, Aurora, IL

[Anonymous]

Can't help with your question, but looks like others have done so already. I did see these units in action on the "MARC Railroading-Summer 1994" tape that I got from Pentrex. I visit my kids in Odenton at least twice a year, in fact will be out there Nov. 22 to Dec. 13, in another couple weeks. During the work week I walk down to the Odenton station, get a cup of coffee and sit and watch the commuters dash off to D.C. between 6 and 7 a.m. Also catch the Acela and another fast Amtrac on the center rail during that period. MARC provides F40's (I believe), and the older electric power. What a thrill it would be to see an F9 come around the corner again while I'm there! While I was in charge of the Golden Spike Nat'l Hist. Site some years ago, I had the opportunity to be around UP's F-7 sets. There's no other sound like an A-B-B-A set moving out pulling a long excursion train.
Bill, Las Vegas, NV

[JoeUmp]

Just for my own curiosity, are there any other surviving E units around?

[Anonymous]

In 1987 I , a European railroader, was invited to give a presentation at an intermodal convention in Chicago. In the free time I went off to find the trains, and to my amazement found E-units, which I knew from my reading but never thought to see, running with Metra.

In 1994, I was at Washington Union station, and was just in time, and just as amazed, to see a green apparition, one of those BNSF E - units with a MARC train.

And now, safe in retirement, after many more US trips where I learn that two of them are still there. Somebody at MARC must have a sense of history!

Bryan in Switzerland

[eolafan]

Yes, METRA has a couple in reserve and use them for work train service, the Illinois Railway Museum (and several others) have operational E units on their property (IRM has BN1-2 and 3...3 being an E9). Jim

QUOTE: Originally posted by JoeUmp

Just for my own curiosity, are there any other surviving E units around?

[cnw4001]

There are four E's sitting in the OHirail yard at Minerva, Ohio. At least two are ex-MARC, presumably ex-Burlington and the other two may also be ex-MARC/Burlington. They appear to be in good shape but I have no idea if they are runable or able to be restored to running condition.

Dale

[eolafan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cnw4001

There are four E's sitting in the OHirail yard at Minerva, Ohio. At least two are ex-MARC, presumably ex-Burlington and the other two may also be ex-MARC/Burlington. They appear to be in good shape but I have no idea if they are runable or able to be restored to running condition.

Dale

Dale, VERY interesting, please keep us informed of what you see with these units. Thanks, Jim, Aurora, IL

[fuzzybroken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by eolafan

Yes, METRA has a couple in reserve and use them for work train service, the Illinois Railway Museum (and several others) have operational E units on their property (IRM has BN1-2 and 3...3 being an E9). Jim

QUOTE: Originally posted by JoeUmp

Just for my own curiosity, are there any other surviving E units around?

I believe CN/IC still has four ex-Metra/BN E9's. Last I remember, IC has two in a grey/black paint scheme and CN had the other two, I think they were going to paint in the old CNR black/grey/green scheme.

-Mark Hintz
http://www.geocities.com/fuzzybroken

[Anonymous]

E-Units aren't all THAT rare... not YET, anyways! There is the restored PRR E-8 (5706, i believe), and the E's that pulled the former Conrail Executive train. I even remember, about ten years back, seeing a Penn Central E-Unit ("ex" NYC) sitting in the former D&H Colonie shops. The top hatch covers and prime movers were sitting on blocking along-side the unit, a few side panels were removed for easier access, and the cab interior and glass were on pallets. But all-in-all... in VERY restoreable condition!

[ebediant]

The Lorain & West Virginia has an E8 that was restored for them by the Wheeling & Lake Erie; previous owners of this loco included the Wisconsin Central and Metra. Visit the L&WV website (http://www.lakeshorerailway.org) for more details on this loco.