BO-1, LOSA, LO-1

I was heading to Lowell this afternoon on MBCR 325, I forget exactly but somewhere around West Medford or Wedgemere Guilford I think it may have been L0-1 passed us going into the City with 2 Loco's and only about 4 or so cars. I know it wasn't B0-1 because that was tied down behind BET as it's usually is. When we got to Lowell, saw GRS B&M 332 sitting on the yard their. Not sure if that was LO-1 and the train MBCR 325 passed was LOSA? Not sure, hopefully someone can direct me with the correct answers

LOSA is usually after 9PM... DOBO after that, so I don't know what you saw.

l008com wrote:LOSA is usually after 9PM... DOBO after that, so I don't know what you saw.

You got me as well, me and the other railfanins I was with on MBCR 325 were shocked to see it going, because we knew it wasn't LO-1, that was parked in Lowell, and as u said it wasn't LOSA. And i don't think BO-1 ventures out on the Lowell branch at all. It was very odd though because it has 2 locomotives and only 3-5 cars with it. Your guess is as good as mine

Could have been LO-1, BO-1, LA-1 or even AY-1, AY-R, FI-1, or NA-1

That was LA-1 you saw. One engine was already dead and the ST 216
died while switching Rothsteins in Woburn. The engineer managed
to revive the 216 enough to get in the clear there.

The crew was taxied back to Lowell. LOSA picked everything up that
night...

Dave

GP40MC1118 wrote:That was LA-1 you saw. One engine was already dead and the ST 216
died while switching Rothsteins in Woburn. The engineer managed
to revive the 216 enough to get in the clear there.

The crew was taxied back to Lowell. LOSA picked everything up that
night...

Dave

When a GRS engine "Dies" arround Metro Boston, what happens Dave? Is it tacked onto a freight heading out or put on BODO and left arround Dover? Just wondering. I know I usually don't see other stuff @ BET becides just MBTA, and who knows Amtrak but thats RARE

LOSA/SALO usually swap out BO-1's power. Sometimes BO-1 will run its
engine to Lawrence or Lowell and swap it out themselves.

BET used to do wheel work for other railroads, but not anymore as far
as I know. It wasn't often, but they have done some Conrail and Amtrak
units.

D

GP40MC1118 wrote:LOSA/SALO usually swap out BO-1's power. Sometimes BO-1 will run its
engine to Lawrence or Lowell and swap it out themselves.

BET used to do wheel work for other railroads, but not anymore as far
as I know. It wasn't often, but they have done some Conrail and Amtrak
units.

D

I heard from some people, and i think Guilford has a power crunch. Is it possible to "borrow" or lease other loco's?

so does anyone know what was heading north thru W Medford today at 12:56pm - I just caught the headlight of a Guilford engine.

stevefoley wrote:so does anyone know what was heading north thru W Medford today at 12:56pm - I just caught the headlight of a Guilford engine.

Was it a Lite engine or did it have a train with it?

That was BO-1 with MEC 380 headed north to Lowell. One way trip.

D

ok -thanks. I didn't get a chance to see if it was lite engine, since I saw the gates go up as I approached the crossing, and the lights on the engine as it headed north. But I assumed it was likely lite, rather than tailing. I guess its common for BO-1's power to head to Lowell for the weekend, given it's off duty and GRS has a power crunch?

GP40MC1118 wrote:That was LA-1 you saw. One engine was already dead and the ST 216
died while switching Rothsteins in Woburn. The engineer managed
to revive the 216 enough to get in the clear there.

The crew was taxied back to Lowell. LOSA picked everything up that
night...

Dave

But... why was LA-1 switching Rothsteins in Woburn? Isn't that LOSA's job?

I can't remember the specifics, but it was likely either "hot cars" that needed to be spotted by a certain time or the fact there was no LOSA the previous night. There was a stretch that month where LOSA ran only once or twice a week due to power problems or crew shortages.

At any rate, LA-1 has working limits to Boston, so they can be sent all over the place.

Even tonight, there is no power in Somerville for BO-1 and LOSA is not running tonight (so far). So it looks like BO-1's crew will taxi to Lowell or
Lawrence or somewhere for their power.

D

I always just assumed, when I saw freight in woburn, it was either a gravel train DOBO, or it was LOSA I'm not crazy enough that I track locomotive numbers......





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