I know for few years or so themajor RR's have ben very, very power short. I know for the last couple of years, theyhave been buying new power in fleets. I was wondering though, how far behind are they still?
I figure between replaceing the ageing fleet and just trying to keep up with more and more traffic, it seems like it will be awhile before they are caught up.
Wondering if anyone had any comments.
Best Regards, Big John
Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona. Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the Kiva Valley Railway
A factor is “free” locomotives. A railroad that can get 2,000 locomotives to do the work of 2,300 units magically makes 300 units materialize out of thin air! Conversely, when operations bog down, and 2,000 locomotives only do the work of 1,700 units, 300 units must be short-term leased from somewhere.
So, how things are going efficiency wise may play a big factor in new motive power orders.
canazar wrote: I know for few years or so themajor RR's have ben very, very power short. I know for the last couple of years, theyhave been buying new power in fleets. I was wondering though, how far behind are they still? I figure between replaceing the ageing fleet and just trying to keep up with more and more traffic, it seems like it will be awhile before they are caught up.Wondering if anyone had any comments.
Motive power issues are easing to a degree. For the first time in a couple of years several Class 1s are selling off some power. Recent sales have included the NS (GP15-1s); BNSF (SD9s, SW1200s, B23-7s); CN (SD45s, SD40s, GP40, GP-9s, SW1200s, C39-8s, C36-7s, B36-7s, B23-7s and even GMO-1s) and CP (SD40-2s).
Also, leasers are being returned to the lessors in large numbers by UP and CSX.
LC
Intersting. Of course, the idea they are selling off the locomotives is depressing.
I live in Phoenix, where the UP's Sunset route is located about an hour south of me. I am seeing less and less of the SD-40's and the UP fleet of old Dash -8's. On the flip side though... alot more trains are running 3 engines now instead of 2. More and more SD-70ACes and and a few Gevos are showing up to work.
canazar wrote: Intersting. Of course, the idea they are selling off the locomotives is depressing.I live in Phoenix, where the UP's Sunset route is located about an hour south of me. I am seeing less and less of the SD-40's and the UP fleet of old Dash -8's. On the flip side though... alot more trains are running 3 engines now instead of 2. More and more SD-70ACes and and a few Gevos are showing up to work.
I know what you mean, i live on the UP's Marysville Sub, everthing is big power here. 70 & 90MACs, AC6000s and Gevos. I miss the SD40-2s, they are very rare here anymore. It is cool to see the CSX and NS units roll through Kansas though.
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