Western Group railroad displacing venerable power with GP40s and 50s
http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2017/06/13-western-group-geep-30s
Brian Schmidt, Editor, Classic Trains magazine
Where will they go?
They may come back quickly. At least on the CV (in KS,CO &OK) those six axle units are a gamble* on 85# and 90# jointed rail (some of that Weber Joints), worn anchors and older ties. ATSF chose not to run anything 6-axle on the Manter and CV districts because of the 264K track structure with E-65 timber bridges. The accelerated wear may be a long term gamble that can't be compensated for. (and CV does a fair amount of maintenance on its track, better than many shortlines)
(*) Granted there was major rehab of the track after the 2007 and 2011 major range fires that burned miles of old ties and timber bridges. Don't think much rail has been upgraded to CWR since the 2011 fire. (only CWR that was out there in Santa Fe's day was between Dodge City and Copeland in a few curves and over the Cimmarron River south of Satanta.)
Just sell 'em back to BNSF.
Editor Emeritus, This Week at Amtrak
Brian SchmidtWestern Group railroad displacing venerable power with GP40s and 50s http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2017/06/13-western-group-geep-30s
Misstated - SD40's and SD50's - 6 axle engine stress track more severely than 4 axle GP30's.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
ATSFGuy Where will they go?
"some GP30s on both railroads soon will be stored serviceable and, “if the price is right, will be available for sale. The Western Group has a strong affinity for these classic locomotives and will take care to ensure the units will be delivered in operating condition to new owners.”
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.
Class III and Class II railroad could pick them up.
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