XC Tower wrote: ↑Thu May 23, 2019 10:42 am
Thank you for the info on the GE's....Speaking of a glut of them, there are more behind the plant here in Erie than I ever recall seeing!....The East Erie Commercial's yard is nearly full of CSX, UP, and NS units!....I know that GE is rebuilding so for the UP and NS, but there seems like too many for that....
Question regarding WNYP's "new" old GE's: Could GE supporting the purchase and use of their older units? Is there any technical support offered to perspective purchasers?
XC
GE has decided to provide ongoing product support for Dash 8's, unlike past practices. They're actively refurbishing them and selling or leasing them out to regionals and shortlines, labeling them as GE Certified after going through a refurbishment and series of checks. This pool of power is where those sales candidates come from, while others are being used as parts sources to support GE customers still running Dash 8's.
This transaction though is through Progress Rail. They bought all of the former CSX fleet of AC6000CW's (minus the prototypes that were rebuilt basically to AC4400CW standards) back in 2018 when CSX was busy trimming their fleet size. But I believe parts remain available through GE. These were basically rebuilt to Evolution series specifications with their electrical system and power plant, so I wouldn't think there would be issues at this time for support.
More of concern I suspect is their condition. Once CSX decided they didn't have a need for a small pool of 6,000 horsepower locomotives back when diesel prices were extremely high a decade or so ago, these got derated. They then became attractive storage candidates thanks to basically being a ES44AC with extra cylinders to maintain, slightly higher fuel consumption, and some unique parts that had to be stocked by the mechanical department.
At this point, they're suffering from years of deferred maintenance and frequent periods of storage, and are in need of a heavy overhaul. And it doesn't sound like they're likely getting that. These are operable units that had been out on lease recently, and the Trains Newswire article just says they'll be "serviced" by A&M before shipment. Doesn't sound like a major refurbishment to me. I suspect they're being sold essentially "as-is", especially when two parts hulks are also part of the transaction.
