C B & Q / Metra E Units For Sale

[Anonymous]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6737&item=4518838601&rd=1

1981 GM EMD F40 LocomotiveTrain

Item has ended for US $55,000.00 (mdubbs21 is the winner).

[GMS-AU]

Could these E's be retrofitted with flexicoil or hi-ad trucks from a newer loco? Is the frame similar or would wiring present a problem as well? I am presuming this would not be worth the effort unless you were a real fan or a road wanting a specific loco to haul a train.

G M Simpson

[AntonioFP45]

Some of you might remember that the museum in Tennessee had to get rid of two beautiful E8s painted in the New York Central scheme. Cost was too high to maintain the units. I do wonder what's become of them.

[Anonymous]

Reading the response from limitedclear leads me to my question. If one has a private car and/or locomotive (and license), how does on get on live rail? Can you contact the owner of the track and pay/get permission to run on it? All I read about is having Amtrak haul you around. How do you make your one or two runs a year?

Thanks!!

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by eolafan

up829 brings up some very accurate points about the ex-Q E-8 and E-9 units running in commuter service between Chicago and my hometown of Aurora. Also of interest to me was the high level of utilization the Q (and later BN) got out of those factastic machines. They would come into town, say on a Monday afternoon, on a long distance intercity passenger train, then be used the next morning on the commuter rush and when that was over they would send the unit out again on an afternoon long distance outbound train, and the cycle continued adinfinitim. Those E units seemingly never sat around for more time than it took to service them and then out again.

This, IMHO, is a testament to good old fashioned, rugged American quality....(of the past). Like an old Chevy, these units had a high availability rate. Of course one must consider that railroad shop forces were bigger back then too (so many technicians per locomotive batch) compared to the "skeleton shop crews" of today's railroads.

[eolafan]

up829 brings up some very accurate points about the ex-Q E-8 and E-9 units running in commuter service between Chicago and my hometown of Aurora. Also of interest to me was the high level of utilization the Q (and later BN) got out of those factastic machines. They would come into town, say on a Monday afternoon, on a long distance intercity passenger train, then be used the next morning on the commuter rush and when that was over they would send the unit out again on an afternoon long distance outbound train, and the cycle continued adinfinitim. Those E units seemingly never sat around for more time than it took to service them and then out again.

[Anonymous]

The Q started using E units out of the general passenger pool for commuter trains in the early 50s. They bought very few B-units and ran A-units on long distance trains elephant-style. E7s, 8s, and 9's were used on the commuters and when the double deck cars arrived, the trains always had seperate power cars usually built into old combines. When the E9's were eventually rebuilt by M&K they lost their steam generators and received HEP. After that the power cars were no longer used. There were other changes to the E's as well, so from a historical perspective, these aren't the most original.

[Paul Milenkovic]

What was the deal with E units and commuter trains?

The E unit is 25 tons an axle times 6 axles with only 4 motored. The F unit is 30 tons an axle times 4 motored axles. While the F unit has less HP, the E unit has less starting tractive effort. While the E unit is somewhat heavier than the F unit, it has a lower axle loading -- you would think the E unit was meant for high-speed passenger service. I would also think with the frequent stops of commuter trains, the F unit would be better.

What was the thinking behind the two Diesels in one carbody? Isn't that a maintenance liability?

[jeaton]

I have been thinking-(DANGER DANGER). I have about a half-mile of ex-MILW MOW running through the farm. A few ties, some rail....

Only thing, I'd have to convert the engine into living quarters, because the other half sure wouldn't let me stay here!!!

Jay

[Anonymous]

A lot more fun to pick up chicks with an RS-18u. We just tell them that the handbrake wheel on the fron is to steer the locomotive when we are backing up!! Most don't have any idea we are ribbing them until we let them in on the "secret" (its in the tracks, dummy...)

LOL...

LC

[adrianspeeder]

Hey Jim,

Just think of all the chicks you could pick up with one of those.

Might be able to beat me.

Adrianspeeder

[eolafan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by captainclack

If I'm not mistaken, a number of six-axle EMD cab units were converted by (or built for?) various railroads with only one prime mover; the rear section was open for baggage and RPO.

YOU ARE VERY CORRECT...I BELIEVE ROCK ISLAND HAD SOME "POCKET ROCKET" EA UNITS

[Anonymous]

If I'm not mistaken, a number of six-axle EMD cab units were converted by (or built for?) various railroads with only one prime mover; the rear section was open for baggage and RPO.

[AntonioFP45]

I wonder though, just as on some tugboats isn't it possible for an E-Unit to run on a single 567 diesel?

[Anonymous]

Start Up Commuter Railroad???

[eolafan]

This makes me want to go out and buy a ticket for the $60 million lottery, THEN I could buy one!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Wow LimitedClear!

That's a hard dose of reality! I'm very fond of E units but one has to assume that these E units probably have mileage somewhere in the millions.

Would be wonderful if they were purchased and restored to original appearance.

Antonio-

Feel free to call any of the mechanical folks who have restored or worked on the E units. There are a number that have been restored in various paint schemes (Erie and DL&W come to mind) but when you have locomotives this large with two prime movers and large solid trucks the maintenance costs are daunting. Some of the NRHS Chapters that have them are not operating them due to maintenance and operating costs.

That said, they are nice locomotives and I would like to see them preserved. Unfortunately, I can't afford a giant paperweight or I'd buy one myself...

LC

[AntonioFP45]

Wow LimitedClear!

That's a hard dose of reality! I'm very fond of E units but one has to assume that these E units probably have mileage somewhere in the millions.

Would be wonderful if they were purchased and restored to original appearance.

[Anonymous]

Trust me. I already have a locomotive. It is like having a boat but only getting to run it once or twice a year...

To keep it up and running I need to go through all sorts of very expensive procedures. A 92 day inspection (the rough equivalent of an oil and filter change for yor car) costs about $3,000. Luckily I can get some OOS time...

Oh, and don't forget the major air brake inspection and update that you must do every three years... (talk about $$$).

Forget about the initial cost of buying the locomotive, the carrying costs are brutal.

It is fun to think about, but even as a licensed locomotive engineer the time I can run it is minimal. I may lease it to a RR just to get out from under the carrying costs for a while...

LC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Jim - I am bustin' my buttons to get there, but no go, so far! Fix it for me!

Mookie

Moo, have a talk with your "buttons", I just clicked on the link and it worked. [;)]


Talbanese [:)]

They usually do have some cabooses for sale. I didn't check that out today though. [:p]

I was dreaming.... My wife would kill me!!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

<snip>
Thus, if you were to get one it would likely rust quietly somewhere...sad, but true...

Yeah! One of those costs about the same as my house! I could set one along side it and really upstage the guy a couple of blocks over that has a caboose in his back yard!

[daveklepper]

This is good news. Interesting to see who will buy.

[Anonymous]

E-units are great old machines, unfortunately with few long distance passenger trains or excursions needing these units there is almost nowhere to run them as their six axle (A1A?) trucks are prohibitive on many short lines...

Thus, if you were to get one it would likely rust quietly somewhere...sad, but true...

LC

[espeefoamer]

Christmas is coming in a couple of months[:p].(Hint-hint)[:D]

[Mookie]

I even typed in the website! Probably too many people going to get there and buy it before I even get to see it!

[Mookie]

I banged on mine and it goes nowhere! Maybe I am wound a little too tight - security-wise!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Jim - I am bustin' my buttons to get there, but no go, so far! Fix it for me!

Mookie

Moo, have a talk with your "buttons", I just clicked on the link and it worked. [;)]


Talbanese [:)]

They usually do have some cabooses for sale. I didn't check that out today though. [:p]

[Anonymous]

Cool stuff. I want a caboose!!!

[Mookie]

Jim - I am bustin' my buttons to get there, but no go, so far! Fix it for me!

Mookie