If anyone is interested in the rebuilt/re-engined GE 'shovelnose' diesels on the White Pass & Yukon Route, here is some video I shot on back in 2012 (and have only just got around to editing...) The first half is the climb up to White Pass, then the descent back to Skagway, past the WP&YR shops, and then the loco run-around to allow the train to be pushed back onto the quayside.
The weather was pretty bad, so the 'scenic views' are very limited, but the noise from a pair of Cummins QSK45L V12 prime movers is something else - a bassy 'mechanical' noise at idle to a raucous loud 'wailing' noise at full power. I certainly didn't feel disappointed that they weren't still Alco powered ;-)
Thankyou
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
Those platform cars with the wood stoves are very cool along with those throbbing Diesels.
What would be cooler yet? Steam power!
If GM "killed the electric car", what am I doing standing next to an EV-1, a half a block from the WSOR tracks?
Paul Milenkovic What would be cooler yet? Steam power!
I think they still have one (#69, a 1908 Baldwin 2-8-0), but I don't know how often it comes out to play :)
Personally I found the diesels charismatic enough - they both look great, and are really loud. The wailing noise a pair of them makes on full power (while climbing some pretty serious gradients!) is something else...
Sometime back. TRAINS carried a story of the rebuild of WPY's GE's, [Not sure if the entire fleet of diesels was rebuilt, but the shop doing the work closed, at some point while the work was in progress? Never heard or saw any more on that?]
But here is a photo from Rail Pictures.com on the rebuilds: @http://www.railpictures.net/photo/577227/
and that link carries this note: "...WPY's complete fleet of GE 90 Class underwent a multi-million dollar upgrade between 2009 and 2013 and are now classed as CERES 140’s, which stands for Controlled Emissions Repower Systems. Power and adhesion were increased while emissions were reduced; they meet current and projected future EPA standards..."
And the comments on WPY's Steam:
Here is a photo, from Rail Pictures.com, from 2011, of their WPY's Cooke Steam Rotary Snow Plow and two Steam engines from 2011. @http://www.railpictures.net/photo/610567/
Paul Milenkovic Those platform cars with the wood stoves are very cool along with those throbbing Diesels.
Did the FRA (actually ICC ) ban wooden cars from having stoves ?
samfp1943 Sometime back. TRAINS carried a story of the rebuild of WPY's GE's, [Not sure if the entire fleet of diesels was rebuilt, but the shop doing the work closed, at some point while the work was in progress? Never heard or saw any more on that?]
I remember the article too.
According to this page on Wikipedia all the 'Shovelnose' GE's have been rebuilt (by three different companies over the course of the program). They have some MLW road-switchers on the roster as well, so some Alco-powered locomotives are still around.
I think Global Rail and Sygnet Rail were basically the same company, just renamed.
Why was #100 scrapped by the rebuilder? White Pass change their mind after shipping her out, or did it have to do with the rebuilder going under?
I wonder if the president has founded his 4th locomotive rebuilding company yet (He also led Coast Engine & Equipment, the original rebuilding outfit for these).
owlsroost Paul Milenkovic What would be cooler yet? Steam power! I think they still have one (#69, a 1908 Baldwin 2-8-0), but I don't know how often it comes out to play :) Personally I found the diesels charismatic enough - they both look great, and are really loud. The wailing noise a pair of them makes on full power (while climbing some pretty serious gradients!) is something else...
Their website indicates they still also have #73 (2-8-2)
http://wpyr.com/engine-73/
MidlandMike owlsroost Paul Milenkovic What would be cooler yet? Steam power! I think they still have one (#69, a 1908 Baldwin 2-8-0), but I don't know how often it comes out to play :) Personally I found the diesels charismatic enough - they both look great, and are really loud. The wailing noise a pair of them makes on full power (while climbing some pretty serious gradients!) is something else... Their website indicates they still also have #73 (2-8-2) http://wpyr.com/engine-73/
The shovel nose units just add to the fun.
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