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Someone save that unit !!!!! . . .

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Sterling1
  • Member since
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  • From: Traveling in Middle Earth
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Someone save that unit !!!!! . . .
Posted by Sterling1 on Saturday, August 27, 2005 11:34 AM
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=116716

What a mess . . .

As much as there's support for steam, why not save one more loco?

"There is nothing in life that compares with running a locomotive at 80-plus mph with the windows open, the traction motors screaming, the air horns fighting the rush of incoming air to make any sound at all, automobiles on adjacent highways trying and failing to catch up with you, and the unmistakable presence of raw power. You ride with fear in the pit of your stomach knowing you do not really have control of this beast." - D.C. Battle [Trains 10/2002 issue, p74.]
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adrianspeeder
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Posted by adrianspeeder on Saturday, August 27, 2005 12:20 PM
Show me the money...

Adrianspeeder

USAF TSgt C-17 Aircraft Maintenance Flying Crew Chief & Flightline Avionics Craftsman

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Sterling1
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Posted by Sterling1 on Saturday, August 27, 2005 12:50 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder

Show me the money...

Adrianspeeder


Too bad I'm not rolling in dough like that person who posted that pic ![}:)]
"There is nothing in life that compares with running a locomotive at 80-plus mph with the windows open, the traction motors screaming, the air horns fighting the rush of incoming air to make any sound at all, automobiles on adjacent highways trying and failing to catch up with you, and the unmistakable presence of raw power. You ride with fear in the pit of your stomach knowing you do not really have control of this beast." - D.C. Battle [Trains 10/2002 issue, p74.]
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oskar
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Posted by oskar on Saturday, August 27, 2005 4:00 PM
yes please save that once celeberty SP unit.




kevin
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railfan619
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Posted by railfan619 on Saturday, August 27, 2005 4:06 PM
WIll someone please help save that once great looking SP loco number 4436
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espeefoamer
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  • From: West Coast
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Posted by espeefoamer on Saturday, August 27, 2005 5:51 PM
And it's still lettered "Radio Equipped" with the Lightning Bolt logo[8D]!
Ride Amtrak. Cats Rule, Dogs Drool.
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AlcoRS11Nut
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  • From: Stevens Point
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Posted by AlcoRS11Nut on Saturday, August 27, 2005 6:43 PM
a certain song pops in my head......"if I had a million dollars........" (i'd by a locomotive)
I love the smell of ALCo smoke in the Morning. "Long live the 251!!!" I miss the GBW and my favorite uncle is Uncle Pete. Uncle Pete eats Space Noodles for breakfast.
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Trainnut484
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Posted by Trainnut484 on Saturday, August 27, 2005 7:05 PM
Whoever wins the lottery might be interested [:p]

Russell
All the Way!
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bnsfkline
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  • From: St. Louis Area, Florrisant to be specific!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by bnsfkline on Saturday, August 27, 2005 8:01 PM
with reports of people buying locomotives for $1.00....who knows
Jim Tiroch RIP Saveria DiBlasi - My First True Love and a Great Railfanning Companion Saveria Danielle DiBlasi Feb 5th, 1986 - Nov 4th, 2008 Check em out! My photos that is: http://bnsfkline.rrpicturearchives.net and ALS2001 Productions http://www.youtube.com/ALS2001
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AlcoRS11Nut
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Posted by AlcoRS11Nut on Saturday, August 27, 2005 8:07 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by bnsfkline

with reports of people buying locomotives for $1.00....who knows


You're kidding!!!!!!!!!!
I love the smell of ALCo smoke in the Morning. "Long live the 251!!!" I miss the GBW and my favorite uncle is Uncle Pete. Uncle Pete eats Space Noodles for breakfast.
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kenneo
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Posted by kenneo on Sunday, August 28, 2005 3:01 AM
Probably now belongs to whomever it is that is trying to restart the NWP. CalTrans is involved along with a public authority, but I don't remember who it is. Calfornia Northern is the connecting carrier at Schelleville.
Eric
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Chris30
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  • From: near Chicago
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Posted by Chris30 on Sunday, August 28, 2005 2:19 PM
I don't think that is the new SP hertiage unit...

CC
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TrainFreak409
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  • From: Dallas, GA
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Posted by TrainFreak409 on Sunday, August 28, 2005 2:23 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by AlcoRS11Nut

QUOTE: Originally posted by bnsfkline

with reports of people buying locomotives for $1.00....who knows


You're kidding!!!!!!!!!!



The Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum was practically given two ALCo MRS-1s at less than $500 bucks a pop!

If only I could find a deal like that on eBay...[:p]

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 28, 2005 6:05 PM
Torch it!
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DrummingTrainfan
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  • From: Omaha-ish, Nebraska
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Posted by DrummingTrainfan on Sunday, August 28, 2005 7:04 PM
I'm afraid that loco is beyond repair...[xx(][:(][:(][*^_^*][sigh]
GIFs from http://www.trainweb.org/mccann/offer.htm -Erik, the displaced CNW, Bears, White Sox, Northern Illnois Huskies, Amtrak and Metra fan.
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adrianspeeder
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Posted by adrianspeeder on Sunday, August 28, 2005 7:26 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by TrainFreak409

The Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum was practically given two ALCo MRS-1s at less than $500 bucks a pop!

If only I could find a deal like that on eBay...[:p]


Ummm, how would you move it, and where would you put it?

Adrianspeeder

USAF TSgt C-17 Aircraft Maintenance Flying Crew Chief & Flightline Avionics Craftsman

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Murphy Siding
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Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, August 29, 2005 12:41 PM
Is there something special about this particular unit?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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CopCarSS
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Posted by CopCarSS on Monday, August 29, 2005 1:05 PM
Hey AlcoRS11Nut,

I'd buy you a monkey. Haven't you always wanted a monkey? [:P]

Great song!

-Chris
West Chicago, IL
Christopher May Fine Art Photography

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams

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AntonioFP45
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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Monday, August 29, 2005 2:28 PM
If I'm not mistaken, it's an SD9.

What's special about it? Well, .............it's an SD9! Built in the 50s, by EMD when Made in America meant something. Tough, reliable, with mileage in the millions.

Restoration costs would likely be high. First you must find out what's wrong with it. Is the engine block intact? What about the cylinder heads? What condition is the electrical system in? Traction motors, generator, control circuits, fuel system, etc. Will it be able to meet the FRA safety standards? Would it fall under the new pollution control standards or would it be "grandfathered" in?

These are just some of the factors that museums and tourist railways must consider before acquiring a classic locomotive from a railroad. If the costs are too prohibitive, then a unit like this could be scrapped. I hope that it is deemed worth saving. I think that somewhere in California there is a restored SP SD9 running around. Some of you may be familiar with it.

A good example of a museum's considerations:
Last year a tourist/museum in Tenessee had to get rid of those gorgeous E8s painted in New York Central. Maintenance costs on those twin 567s under the carbody were through the roof!

Roger that.

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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PBenham
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Posted by PBenham on Monday, August 29, 2005 4:13 PM
I can't get wired up over an SP SD9. There is an excellent chance that,for example, Port of Tillamook Bay's units will continue to operate for the forseeable future. Here in western New York, we have an NYC [:(] FA2 rusting away, because the funds and the[:(!] PEOPLE TO DO THE WORK [:(]just are not available! So, we must prioritize often limited financial and mechanical and body working skills. There are too many deserving pieces out there for the limited scope of available talent and MONEY! And [:(!]don't get me started on PRR K4 1361,which should have been running at least two years ago, or B&M 3713. Any steam Locomotive, still extant in 2005, is a treasure. But, We JUST do not have all the money and talent we'd like to have. Sorry. PMB
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cbq9911a
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Posted by cbq9911a on Monday, August 29, 2005 4:38 PM
The first SD7, SP 1518, is alive and well at the Illinois Railway Museum. She's earning her keep as the regular coach train loco this year.
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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 29, 2005 5:06 PM
Toooooooorch It! Toooooooorch It! Toooooooorch It!
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edblysard
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Posted by edblysard on Monday, August 29, 2005 5:15 PM
Uz,
Why torch it?

Ever run one?
Ever ride one?

If the engine is still rebuildable, the rest of the parts are pretty much standard EMD stuff.

And I can tell you from personal experience, if its running good, it will pull anything you ask it too...those are tough, and I mean tough locomotives...ride great, work hard.

For a short line or regional, it would be a great motor...

Ed

23 17 46 11

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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 29, 2005 6:53 PM
As someone who spent his summer vacation (all four days of it) riding in the cab of an ancient Army GE switcher (at a museum) I'd purely love to see this poor old beast rebuilt and run. It's not because I'm an ALCO fan in particular... it's just that I've heard so much about them (they smoke, they sound funny starting up, they are a mechanic's nightmare) that I would love to see one actually working.

Where is Doyle McCormack when you need him?

Erik
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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 29, 2005 7:21 PM
Love those SD9s, we call them Cadilacs out west here, and an Espee unit too, WOW! Don't let the paint fool you, its got a beautiful heart! The first locomotive I got to run was a Espee SD9, and they do ride like a Cadie!

Jim
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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 29, 2005 7:45 PM

Lengthen it nd put in a 710 [:p][:p]
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