M&E Acquires Additional Locomotives

[oibu]

Am I the only one wondering what in the world they'll use these for with all the other piles of power they've already got sitting around, considering they only need a couple (at least on the NJ lines) at any given time?

[JPG76]

Hmm, the M&E is expanding it's locomotive fleet and adding cab signal equipment to them. I'm kind of thinking other rumors I've heard might actually be true and may materialize in the not too distant future.

What other rumors would those be?

NS leasing out the Washington secondary and putting thier Boonton line buiseness up for bid when the BASF plant in Washington closes.

[therudycometh]

Am I the only one wondering what in the world they'll use these for with all the other piles of power they've already got sitting around, considering they only need a couple (at least on the NJ lines) at any given time?

What piles of power do we have sitting around? The M&E only owns five other locomotives - 18, 19, 20, 22, and the 3573 in Maine. Of those five, 22 doesn't run, and the other four are all in need of long-overdue major overhauls. These four Geeps will be a very welcome addition and will give us the opportunity to perform some major servicing on our current motive power.

NS leasing out the Washington secondary and putting their Boonton line business up for bid when the BASF plant in Washington closes.

If I hear anything to that effect on the M&E end, I'll let you know.

[DogBert]

Am I the only one wondering what in the world they'll use these for with all the other piles of power they've already got sitting around, considering they only need a couple (at least on the NJ lines) at any given time?

What piles of power do we have sitting around? The M&E only owns five other locomotives - 18, 19, 20, 22, and the 3573 in Maine. Of those five, 22 doesn't run, and the other four are all in need of long-overdue major overhauls. These four Geeps will be a very welcome addition and will give us the opportunity to perform some major servicing on our current motive power.

My guess would be he's talking about all the rppx(?) power that is/was stored on the property... quite a bit of which has been scrapped over the years.

[oibu]

Not sure of the status of the ex CP C424, but at least as of last year they were still around. And as far as I know the RS11 still exists. So that's 2-3 others on the property. Not sure if the railroad itself or others own the NBEC C424s, but as far as I know it's around too. Either way, most shortlines that usually only use 1 or 2 units at a time would be unlikely to own 4-5 or more serviceable locos (nevermind as many more on the property o/s). Now there will be (even if we assume only 2 Geeps ever run, and the RS11 and C424s are toast) around 6-7 more or less in service, and that many more around o/s. Pretty heavy for a 1-2 unit shortline is all I'm saying, no criticism intended and I sure they have their reasons, but most shrtlines with that kind of padding on the power front as-is wouldn't buy additional power other than as replacements.

Maybe the Washington secondary is part of it, but those rumors have been flying since 1999 or before FWIW. That said, M&E HAS legititmately had interest, I even remember talking to Ben sometime in the early-mid 90s and he was already talking about that goal back then.

[therudycometh]

Not sure of the status of the ex CP C424, but at least as of last year they were still around. And as far as I know the RS11 still exists. So that's 2-3 others on the property. Not sure if the railroad itself or others own the NBEC C424s, but as far as I know it's around too.

All scrapped. There is one CP C424 left on the property, #4204, which is not owned by the railroad.

[ns3010]

The new stuff is on the way. All four units were handed off to Pan Am on 9/12. 21, 23, and 79 are destined for Morristown, while the 100 will go straight to the Maine Eastern.

[DogBert]

100 is at MERR...
http://photos.greatrails.net/showpic/?2 ... 227825.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ns3010]

21, 23, and 79 are in Portland, ME. (Photo is from 9/29, but all three are still there AFAIK)

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo ... age=4&key=

[ACeInTheHole]

21, 23, and 79 are in Portland, ME. (Photo is from 9/29, but all three are still there AFAIK)

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo ... age=4&key=

Mmmm.. I like the 79!

[MEC407]

Actually the photo is from 9/23, but yes, they're still there as of today.

[DogBert]

21, 23, and 79 are in Portland, ME. (Photo is from 9/29, but all three are still there AFAIK)

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo ... age=4&key=

Mmmm.. I like the 79!

Out of the lot, I hope 79 runs again. It's an original BAR loco, no? The other two were rebuilt by atsf, & bought by BAR in the early 90s if I recall right.

[MEC407]

It's an original BAR loco, no?

Yes.

[therudycometh]

In Selkirk now

[kamerad47]

CSX towing them ???? will they go to Kearny ?????