RBMN buys GP30s

[thebigham]

From Loconotes:

RBMN picked up the following GP30’s from Larry’s Truck Electric (LTEX) recently:

2430
2438
2445
2465

The units were delivered by CSXT to NS at Enola, PA this weekend, they should be forwarded to Reading, PA for interchange with the RBMN.

[Engineer Spike]

I wonder what they did that for? They might use the cores to build into GP38s 645 jugs, 2000 HP, roots blower.

[thebigham]

On the RBMN roster here:

http://www.readingnorthern.com/roster/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

These rebuilt GP30s are classified as GP39RNs.

[glennk419]

I, for one, can not wait to see them. Four axle locomotives are at a premium these days and for Andy to pick them up, they have to be special. The GP30's were a technological advancement in that they were the first positive pressure engine compartment loco's built and they're unique look was, and still is, awesome. Being that the first GP-30's are only seven years younger than I, and that one of my first cab rides was in RDG 5513, it will always be one of my favorite locomotives.

[MEC407]

.

[Allen Hazen]

GP-30 (why was it called "30"? because "22" didn't sound impressive enough when GE was marketing a "25") was EMD's first "roadswitcher" with a sealed carbody and positive pressure engine room: one of the features that was perhaps inspired by the U25B. But GE didn't claim to have originated THAT idea. EMD's E8 and E9 passenger units, I think, had positive pressure engine rooms, and there are always the roadswitchers Baldwin built in the late 1940s for Morocco...