NSDash9 just reported this interesting tidbit.
http://blackmonauctions.com/auctions/258/
Units include 50 high hood GP38-2's, 27 MP15DC's, and 1 SW1001.
If I'm not missing something here, that includes several still active MP15DC's since only 15 are listed as stored and I don't remember any recent retirements besides those that went in trade for the SD90MAC's.
None of the remaining GP38AC's are included, despite their stored status. Perhaps more valuable as rebuild fodder for future slugs and such than on the open market due to their lack of Dash 2 electricals?
Just what i need for my back yard. Wonder if there is a min bid?
The great Class-One switcher purge continues...
UP has sold off almost all of their switchers, and now, so will NS. These locomotives are in demand on shortlines and regionals and bring in $300,000 or so, thus it is no surprise that they're being sold off in favor of the SD40-2s that NS bought comparatively recently. The Class Ones seem to be gradually standardizing on the SD40-2 for work that would formerly be handled by the switchers for the same reasons that the MP program started. (And NS' ECO programs are part of the displacement as well.)
If nothing else, this is confirmation that the MP15E program is done.
The SW1001s were mostly kept around because of their size, but apparently they're no longer needed.
The GP38-2s are probably the more surprising part of the auction; probably displaced by the ECOs. They should be snapped up.
Did UP dispose of even more switchers? I remember the auction with many crippled units a year or so back, but substantial numbers remained as best as I could tell at the time with the imperfect rosters out there.
Like you said, I'm sure that these GP38-2's will be attractive purchases. Chop the nose and you have a locomotive so versatile, well liked and maintainable that the model looks set to have a substantial Class 1 career ahead of it despite the earliest factory built examples fast approaching their 45th birthday.
I'll be curious if any SW1001's survive the purge for industrial trackage that has issues with the longer wheelbase of even a MP15. And if there's any need for a heavy shop goat at Altoona or Roanoke like Norfolk Southern's last SW1's were tasked with into the 2000's, they seem perfect for the job.
I remember people thinking that the end was near for this model years ago when they first slimmed the fleet, but these survivors kept going with no more retirements until now. So it might not be quite the end just yet for the 5 left (3 of which are active right now, per NSDash9's roster).
UP hasn't sold off more switchers recently, but the SD40N program seems to be the future of their yard and local power, and has pushed some of the former MoPac non-d/b units into the yards that weren't there previously. I'm guessing it's only a matter of time, but I've been wrong before. :)
As you say the end is not apparent for the SW1001s, but small aging classes don't always do so well on Class One rosters. It's probably easier and cheaper to find a pair of small idler flats somewhere for the tight spots. We'll see.
MarknLisaWill the availability of all this power tempt some operators still using Alcos and other historic equipment to 'upgrade'?
Buying a brand of locomotive is one thing - maintaining it as a piece revenue producting equipment is a whole different thing. Short lines that use Alco or other orphaned brands have their maintenance facilities and supplies set up to handle their orphans. Switching to a different makers product would require sourcing and purchasing all the equipment and supplies necessary to keep the new purchase operating - a big decision to make.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Will someone let me know if they've got a Class M "Mastodon" 4-8-0 in the lot somewhere?
A lot of those 5000s were given fresh paint jobs inside and out just a few years ago. What a waste.
Interesting at least one of those engines is RCO equipped (and I've used it several times). Wonder if it suffered some major mechanical damage to be included? Seems weird to sell off a robo engine.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
I wonder if the Reading historical group, or the Conrail bunch can muster enough for that ex-RDG SW1001? Perhaps Andy Meuller's Reading and Northern? That loco needs to go home.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
Firelock76Will someone let me know if they've got a Class M "Mastodon" 4-8-0 in the lot somewhere?
VMT has one you can have cheap.
Overmod Firelock76 Will someone let me know if they've got a Class M "Mastodon" 4-8-0 in the lot somewhere? VMT has one you can have cheap.
Firelock76 Will someone let me know if they've got a Class M "Mastodon" 4-8-0 in the lot somewhere?
Yeah, but I'd probably have to go pick it up, I'm sure they don't make deliverys!
Firelock76 Overmod Firelock76 VMT has one you can have cheap. Yeah, but I'd probably have to go pick it up, I'm sure they don't make deliverys!
Overmod Firelock76 VMT has one you can have cheap.
Firelock76
Order it from Amazon Prime - free shipping!
NSDash9 posted a picture of a SW1001 with a SD45-2 on a turntable at Altoona. It's assigned there as a shop switcher and another is going to be assigned there to replace a trackmobile.
Might be life left yet in this model for Norfolk Southern even as they auction one of the survivors off.
Also interesting: the 2102 has LED ditch lights.
As reported by NSDash9, Norfolk Southern sold 76 locomotives yesterday in the auction. By my count, 50 GP38-2's, 25 MP15DC's, and 1 SW1001 now have new owners.
The surprise here isn't so much that two less MP15DC's were sold than expected, but that three low-nose ex Conrail GP38-2's ended up in the group.
Would've been nice to see the 5000, Southern's first GP38-2, be donated into preservation like they've done with the system's first SD40. Not only did nobody else buy high-hood GP38-2's in the US, but Southern ended up with over 250 of them.
Was easily their most numerous class of power and holds a special place in the hearts of Southern fans. Maybe NS will instead donate the final unrebuilt example on their roster someday, hopefully well into the future.
Leo_AmesMaybe NS will instead donate the final unrebuilt example on their roster someday, hopefully well into the future.
Next Monday will work.
Actually, I can't complain about those engines too much. Many of them are a bit long in the tooth, but when you get one that actaully has some life left and can pull decent - it's a pretty good engine.
ChuckAllen, TX
It looks like Morristown & Erie and Reading & Northern have picked up MP15s from what I've read elsewhere.
HiAnyone know what road #s were bought by the M&E?
CheersSteve
I wonder this is going to help NS's bottom line
cat992cI wonder this is going to help NS's bottom line
Getting paid for fully depreciated equipment can't hurt.
I have posted the list of buyers and dispositions for the auctioned NS units on my website here:http://www.nsdash9.com/NSauction082016.htmlChris TothNSDash9.com
Thanks Chris
This was nice to see ..
They got a second one as well, didn't they? Not sure what the differences mean, but "Tennessee Valley Railroad - Calhoun" is the notation for the #5044 as well.
I would suspect that the Calhoun, TN notation means the 5044 is going to be interchanged to CSX at Calhoun and go to TVRM's Hiawassee River Railroad that runs to Copperhill. The 5033 would go to Chattanooga to be used in freight switching on the Tynar Terminal Railroad. This would save TVRM the cost of two leased locomotives. That would be my guess for the different locations and what is going to happen with them. I could easily be wrong.
Leo_AmesWould've been nice to see the 5000, Southern's first GP38-2, be donated into preservation like they've done with the system's first SD40. Not only did nobody else buy high-hood GP38-2's in the US, but Southern ended up with over 250 of them.
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum has announced that they've actually taken deliverly of this locomotive after all. They traded the 5033 to Progress Rail to get her.
So the class engine of the largest class of power on the Southern Railway system will now be preserved.
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