IRM gets a WC SD45 (and it still runs!)

[EJE818]

Believe it or not, CNW 4160 is now operating! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzQJ58k5QxQ

[EJE818]

Sounds like CNW 4160 was started up for the first time, pretty amazing considering it sat in Janesville for 10+ years! It sounds like there is still work to be done, but at least IRM is moving forward with this engine. Being from Joliet, former Rock territory, I'd personally love to see this engine running in some form of a Rock Island paint job sometime in the future, but I'd like to see it run in CNW paint at least a few times.

[U33B]

correction to above post:

 IRM has CB&Q SD-24 #504, not 508!

Thank you, that's what i ment to say...

[WCfan]

What is the history of the 7525?  By the way, CB&Q 9911 is the ONLY E5 that survived the torch, much less being the only one in operating condition.  Props to the IRRM!

Regards,
Burlington John

I'm not sure if my sources are correct. As the list I have is actually quite old. Judging by the locomotive numbers it was pre 1997 or 98. So don't take the information by heart. This list is saying that all the 65XXs where changed to the 75XX with out the other 2 numbers not being changed, but WC didn't do that all the time. So I'm not sure if this is correct or not. So here it goes.

WC 7525 was originally WC 6525 (Involved in the Weyauwega Derail. If this list is correct that 6525 did turn into 7525). Originally it was WC 6539, and before that it was BN 6539. She was built in August of 1971; I'm not sure when BN retired her.

Again, I don't know if this info is Valid

.  

[EJE818]

WC 7525 is a ex-BN SD45 but it will not be put back into BN paint. I'm looking forward to seeing it running this year, as well as seeing the SD24 back out again in fresh CB&Q paint. Yes, the CB&Q 9911-A is the only operating E5. IRM also has the last existing baldwin centercab, as well as both the first GP7 and SD7, CNW 1518 and SP 1518.

[Jdelhaye]

correction to above post:

 IRM has CB&Q SD-24 #504, not 508!

[U33B]

4160 has been on the property for a few months now. It was originally sought as a parts source, but there is word that it will be kept as is for the time being. There are no plans that i know of to repaint it any time soon. The #1 priority for the diesel dept is CB&Q SD24 508 and getting it painted and operational by Diesel Days.

[BurlingtonJohn]

What is the history of the 7525?  By the way, CB&Q 9911 is the ONLY E5 that survived the torch, much less being the only one in operating condition.  Props to the IRRM!

Regards,
Burlington John

[EJE818]

Ok, I have heard CNW 4160 is currently at Rockford on the IC&E, which means that most likely it will be handed back over to the UP for the trip to IRM at Union. This is the first time it has left Janesville for a loooong time. I'll get more info on this when I get the chance, but it sounds like the engine time forgot finally has been found! I guess now the big question is what is going to happen to 4160 once it gets to IRM.

[EJE818]

I've heard from people at the museum that 4160 is going to be coming to IRM. I've also heard of a Metra F40C also, but so far that hasn't happened. We'll have to wait and see what happens.

[Anonymous]

i see. do you know anything they have said about their plans with it at all?

Nothing that can be made public at this point in time, except for the fact that it is on IRM's "Pending acquistion list"

Jeff

 

There's a LOT of stuff on that list. lol 

[Andrew Falconer]

I am not saying that they are run by the State of Illinois, but it would be better that some of the money go to another type of educational institution than just typical public schools.

Andrew

[Jdelhaye]

Why not have the Illinois State Lottery peel off a few milllion dollars a year to help the IRM.

Andrew

 ..because the IRM is NOT (repeat NOT) run by the state of Illinois (home of government waste and corruption), and we want them to have nothing to do with IRM's operation!

 Jeff

[Andrew Falconer]

It was great that I actually saw that SD45 in person on the CN's GTW tracks in Michigan.

It is even better that it is being preserved.

Why not have the Illinois State Lottery peel off a few milllion dollars a year to help the IRM.

Andrew

[Jdelhaye]

i see. do you know anything they have said about their plans with it at all?

Nothing that can be made public at this point in time, except for the fact that it is on IRM's "Pending acquistion list"

Jeff

[Lord Atmo]

i see. do you know anything they have said about their plans with it at all?

[Jdelhaye]

Any news on C&NW 4160 and its future, from sources other than DIRECTLY from IRM, is strictly speculation and rumor at this point in time.

Jeff Delhaye

[EJE818]

That is what I'm trying to find out, what CRIP paint scheme will be used on the GP9.  Hopefully it will be decided soon. Looks like 7525 moved again today, as it is now on a different track in front of the loco shop. It is still visable from the webcam.

[Lord Atmo]

yeah.... that's the general idea. 4160 is supposed to go back to CRIP paint. hopefully bankrupcy blue

[EJE818]

Yeah, they really to get some of these housing issus solved. They are going to need to house 7525, plus CNW 4160 is also supposed to be heading down to IRM, so they will need to pay for that also. They probably won't be getting too much else until they get room to house their engines. According to IRMlist, the 7525 was the perfect aquisition because it is now probably the most modernized engine they own. It represents a different era then most of IRM's other diesels. I'd like to see the museum build more barns to store the engines inside, as long as they are accessable to the public. Housing the 7525 is one of the museum's top priorities right now, as well as seeing what they are going to do with CNW 4160. I think a CNW SD40-2 would be another perfect aquisition for the museum for the same reason as 7525. The thing about that though is I don't see UP retiring those for at least the next year or two, if not longer. They most like them at least somewhat since they can be found on just about any manifest in the midwest. Same thing would go in my opinion for a EJ&E SD38-2 when their time for retirement comes. CN was very generous about 7525 and they didn't strip it of anything, and UP was very generous about 4160. They are even performing work on it to get it acceptable to travel on the WSOR to Horican, where it will be worked on a possibly be repainted into Rock Island paint. I think both a CNW SD40-2 and a EJ&E SD38-2 would be great things for IRM to have, but the track space issues could hamper any efforts for new engines. IRM could even get one of the SD40-2s UP repainted into yellow paint and have Horicon repaint it into CNW paint. Horicon did a excellent job on the CNW F7.

[Lord Atmo]

if i become a member, can i badger them about trying to get a CNW SD40-2 in there? in zito yellow?

 

Yep you could.  I am sure their response would be, to quote from Cuba Gooding Jr, "show me the money."

i will save up the money if i have to. this is something i am VERY determined to see happen

yeah IRM needs some more track indeed 

[EJE818]

Right now, before they get any kind of CNW, IRM needs a couple thousand for track space that the 7525 needs, and it will all be done by donations. I hope they can get some of that money wih this new Terror on the Railroad haunted event that they are doing. Here is all the proof you need that 7525 is operating.

[Expresslane]

 

 There is another old saying "Put your money where your mouth is." They allways need more money and people willing to help out.

[n012944]

if i become a member, can i badger them about trying to get a CNW SD40-2 in there? in zito yellow?

 

Yep you could.  I am sure their response would be, to quote from Cuba Gooding Jr, "show me the money."

[EJE818]

You would probably have to become a volunteer to do that. I got to see 7525 operating yesterday! What a neat sight it was.

[Lord Atmo]

if i become a member, can i badger them about trying to get a CNW SD40-2 in there? in zito yellow?

[EJE818]

Ok, sounds like WC 7525 was operating at IRM yesterday. It was successfully started up, then it ran light down the IRM mainline unassisted, then it switched some cars around the museum.

[EJE818]

Funny thing you mention that, I am a member also! I'm probably heading up there Saturday to see the 7525. It won't be running, but it will still be nice to see 7525 again. This engine has almost come full circle for me. I saw it operating at Homewood in August of last year, then I saw it in the deadline, now I will probably see it operate again in the future! IRM is currently trying to get funding to expand the museum and build new barns to house more equipment indoors, something I would really like to see.

[Expresslane]

 They are allways short on track space. Become a member of th IRM. You can help this place grow and save the trains you will want to be saved. I'm a member and enjoy going as often as I can. There are many people that make this fine place work. If you like trains join up.