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[WCfan]

Hey guys. I got back from Chicago a couple of hours ago. Umm no train pictures. I didn't even see a train! Anyway, you guys got some nice Pictures! EJE, I haven't been to the IRM in a long time. Last time I was there was when I was like 6, or maybe 8. I don't remember. But I do remember seeing the DD40 there. I'll be sure to head down there this summer. Max, I like your pictures too. Very nice. I've been in Winona a couple times and that Pair is ALWAYS there. I'll be heading down in that drection again this fall. Hopefuly I can get some fall RFing in. Max (Coborn) I'll also try to get up to you this next summer. Wanna she her too before she goes to NP.

[CMSTPP]

EJE818- Why the heck aren't they running that Little Joe!!! You have the power to do so!!! I would have that thing out so fast you wouldn't know what had hit you. That is the closest thing to a running Milwaukee Road Little Joe. Pretty much all the same except paint scheme. So why aren't they running it?????? Anyway, nice pics.

Anyway, came to drop off some photos that I just took a few hours ago.

First off are these C44-9Ws. All were sent on gain trains later that day. But I have not seen so many locos here before. There were probably 12 or so locomotives sitting there. Not including the locos out in the yard and at 28th street yard. Just here at the engine facility. It was packed.

Next is this shot of my first SD70ACe!!! #9337 sits with it's 150 car loaded coal train ready for clearence into the unloading docks.

Another shot but this time with the location sign. A neat shot.

A CN local comes through town at Saunders. Something rare though. An IC SD40-2 leads this train. A little unusual with all of these new locomotives coming out.

Enjoy!!

James

[EJE818]

The little Joe, as well as the GG1 would blow out the electrical systems as they require too much voltage, and IRM's system is mainly built for trolleys, Subway cars and small electric engines such as steeplecabs. I'd like to see those running also. I don't have to power to do run it as I am not a volunteer yet (members are not volunteers), but I am thinking of possibly being a volunteer at the museum (preferably the diesel department since I know those the best) next year and maybe if I got lucky getting to work with some of IRM's diesels, including 7525 if it gets there as planned. It would be a lot of work but it would be fun at the same time. We'll see if time permits next summer. I would've looked into it this year but with RailCamp and vacations there was simply not enough time.

[WCfan]

Nice pictures James. I really like the one with the locatition sign. Very cool. Also, that IC you shot there, 6051. I got her not to long ago. Other wise yeah with those new locos that CN is getting the IC's will be getting short on life. I'm glad I started REALLY rail fanning this summer. 

[EJE818]

From what I have heard, only the 6000s are possibly going to be retired when the new power arrives, not the 6100s and 6200s. Most of those were rebuilt when they were on the IC. Also I'm not sure how this will effect the WC and GTW SD40-2s. I know the WC SD40-2s are not to -3 standards, so look for those to possibly be retired, and I think the same goes for the GT ones. CN seems to like the SD40-2s that are rebuilt to -3 standards. There are very few SD40-2s left in GT blue and most are in CN paint. Most GT engines left are GP9Rs, GP38-2s, and a handful of GP40-2s Unfortunatly most of the IC 6100s and 6200s that are to be kept are in CN paint. Almost all of the 6000s are still in IC paint. It does sound like one of the 6000s, 6071 the former prototype SD40, will be going to some museum, as CN does recognize its significance. Still, get your photos of IC 6000-6099, along with the WC and GT SD40-2s as those may be next up to be retired. I haven't heard anything about the WC GP40s or GP38-2s so that is a little bit of good news.

[Lord Atmo]

7525 would be nice to have in my photo roster.

but currently i'm happy with my shots of 7495..inside AND out...up on the roof...on the nose...in the cab....around the prime mover...oh lord that was awesome

[WCfan]

Well I sure hope CN keeps the WC GP40s. Looks as though I won't be able to see the rest of the WC SD40-2s. It seem though CN will keep the WC GP38-2s, cuze there really useing them out in BC. I don't know the fate of the WC GP40s. They may just be worked untill they get to wornen out. As that seems like that's what CN is doing to all the rest of the WC locos.

 Atmo your getting me jelious.

[EJE818]

I also hope they keep the GP40s. A couple of them have been retired, but I am thinking they were retired due to mechanical failures. I don't think CN is going to start retiring all of the GP40s for a while, but get them while you can anyway, as none have been repainted. Seems any series of engines that CN doesn't repaint any of gets retired before anything else, probably because CN doesn't want to waste money repainting engines they will retire anyway. Notice none of the IC 6000s, which are the most likely group of IC engines to be retired, have been repainted, and alsomost all of the 6100s and 6200s are in CN paint. At least there will be a IC GP10 at the Homewood Railroad Park, plus the SD70s and GP38-2s to remember the IC by. I have a feeling the DM&IR SD38-2s and SDMs days are probably numbered as well. CN hasn't even gave any of those yellow frame stripes as far I as I know of. I still think the WC and GTW SD40-2s, plus any IC SD40-2 from 6000 to 6099 have their days numbered.

[WCfan]

Sadly, you are right. I hate to say it but it is the truth. CN will probably get rid of those first. It's going to be boring here in town then. Either a Grey Ghost switching, or a CN. It's horrible to see a grey locomotive rolling down the rails. A CN loco is just so boring, even if it‘s a CN SD40-2s I'll still take pictures of these guys. But I would rather see a Black IC or a Marron and Gold WC.

Alec, if you are reading this thanks. If it is true that the Black IC's, WC's and GTW SD40-2s are going to be scrapped. Thank you for telling me to go out and RF. I just got the end, but it's better than seeing SD70ACe's 24/7. Thanks.

[EJE818]

Agreed, its sad to see the good IC SD40-2s possibly fading away, especially since I am pretty close to IC territory and have always been a fan of these SD40-2s. Some of them are old SD40As which were built with bigger fuel tanks then the rest of the SD40-2 fleet so they could travel longer between fueling, plus there are some ex-GM&O SD40s, including the one and only 6071, the former prototype SD40 which was first SD40. Most of them have been in Wisconsin and Minnesota on the WC and I have seen very few of them lately. The repainted 6100s and 6200s may be considered ICs by CN, but to me, it isn't IC unless it is in black and white paint. The repainted ones are fake, I don't care if they uised to be in black paint. Hopefully some of these come back down to Illinois because I want to get some more shots of them before the possible demise of them.

[WCfan]

Sigh, it just won't be the same going to Stevens Point. Lately I have been taking granted for the Black IC's. But now it seems that there going to have the same demise as the WC SD45s. Looks like the only reason for me going to Point is to see the WC GP40s and any "new" SW1500s that find there way there.

[wctransfer]

No problem Jordan. Hindsight is 20/20, and when the WC SD45s hit the deck, I noticed that most everything Im really into (WC,DMIR,Leasers,almost all SD40 types) is getting closer and closer to being gone each day. The scrapping of your favorite engine (Ex, extinction period) really makes you look around at everything else and think about how long it will be around.

This hobby has too much change, and lately, from a railfan perspective, its all negative.

Alec

[wctransfer]

I still think CN painted IC/GTW/and WC units are still "real" as long as they have the same numberboards. Personally, that really is the face of the engine.

Alec

[wctransfer]

Yup, I caught it. Went on a chase to Buffalo MN on Saturday, and then chased it around on its trip to Osceola. Im not a huge steam buff (only the SOO 1003 and the 2719) but It was still nice to see it.

Alec

[Noah Hofrichter]

The scrapping of your favorite engine (Ex, extinction period) really makes you look around at everything else and think about how long it will be around.

Precisely the reason I shoot ES44s, AC400s and the like anyway. I really don't have any big interest in them or anything, but if I'm out on the CP or the BNSF anyway I still shoot them, as you never known 30 years from now if my position might be different. Or perhaps there'll be ES44 lovers that I can dazzle with photos of CP locomotives when they were only a few months old and still shining...

Still working on the Doubleheader pictures, I just haven't had enough time to sit down and pull them off the camera and resize them and all yet. Hopefully sometime in the next couple of days though.

Noah