Why did Conrail buy Dash-8s so late into the production run? ATSF ordered I think the first Dash-9s in 1993, and CR waited until late 1994 to place an order for C40-8Ws. Was this because GE had Dash-8 components laying around and wanted to get rid of them for cheap? Or was it CR sticking to proven technology instead of trying something new (IE the Flexicoil vs. HTC debacle of the 1980's)?
My guess would be that they were on the move to replace locomotives. In the early 90's Conrail still had a large handfull of GP-8's, GP-9's, GP-10's, GP-20M's, GP-30's, and GP-35's along with a couple U-Boats U23B & C's, U23B & C's, U33B & C 's and U28B & C's. still in there fleets all were retired by 1994-1995. Many of the Geep's sat in dead lines from 1985-1990 and went back into active service around 1990 as for the reason for the sudden reactivation of these units I have no idea maybe a large increase in traffic called for them?
At least 6 U33C's remained on the Conrail Rostor well befor the CSX-NS Merger 3 were keeped in Buffalo and 3 in Albany as Heavy Yard Pullers. I do beleve that all were scraped befor the merger. This explanes the missing gap 6600-6605 number gap this was the U33C fleet that was keeped off the rostor but stayed well hidden in the yards. Rember the C30-7A fleet started at 6606.