Work Train Lease Power Coming

[GP40MC1118]

Help is on the way for the 904 and 3247 as Keolis has entered a one year lease
of four GMTX GP38-2s. All four are now in Buffalo, NY on NS.
Should be coming east on 28N to Mechanicville for PAR to deliver to the MBTA.

Units are 2608, 2622, 2635, & 2636.

Expected to be used on work trains, switchers, wash trains and plow trains.

D

[GP40MC1118]

If I got my research right, the 2608 is:

DRGW 3125 To UP 5271 (Assigned). Retired 9/24/98
Sold to LLPX and moved to VMV 11/98
Rebuilt 2011 to GP38-2 2608 by NRE/VMV

[Backshophoss]

Should also be useful as tow in power for disabled trains,and snow plow duty.

[F-line to Dudley via Park]

T/Keolis really should get a whole fleet of a half-dozen or so 38-2 ECO rebuilds to replace the 2 gensets they don't want to maintain, decrepit GP40 3247 that's been worn to dust, and venerable old 904 that's the last in-house unit of its kind. NS-Altoona and NRE keep popping those rebuilds out like Pez dispensers because that spec is so versatile, economical, and easily rebuildable out of 1st- and 2- gen Geep 38/40 hulks of all shapes and sizes and uses a slightly downrated version of the same 645 prime mover stocked for the F40 -2C's.

Or if not in-house, at least some sort of everlasting lease that keeps the rentals here on constant overchurn from the broker, instead of just penny-pinching for the shortest possible cameos.

[bmcdr]

The four lease units are reported to be in Ayer this morning 10/12.

[GP40MC1118]

Well the NS Trace still shows them in Buffalo!

D

[johnpbarlow]

Word on NS Tier and D&H South Facebook page is that a 28N (with NS N&W Heritage Unit 8103) will be delivering these 4 units certainly no sooner than tomorrow.

[BostonUrbEx]

Without knowing too much west of Mechanicville, I find it interesting that they're arriving on 28N and not going something along the lines of 14R -> EDPO -> LA-2.

[GP40MC1118]

They are on 28N as stated.

D

[Dick H]

28N with the MBTA work units is reported tied down at Miller's Falls at 9:30AM,
according to Guilford Rail Sightings Yahoo Group.

[GP40MC1118]

Look for the MBTA Northside Work Train to run to Ayer and grab them Monday morning.

D

[Dick H]

Photo of 28N with the four GP-38-2 work engines. Thanks to Matt Bai for the photo. Photo take at Lake Pleasant crossing.
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo ... ex=4&key2=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[AmtrakLocomotiveEngineer]

A few questions:

1) Are the units already equipped with ditch lights?
2) Will they be modified with ACSES & Cab Signals in order to lead trains on the south side?

[diburning]

1. Yes
2. Doubt it, although a possible solution would be to throw a cab car in front of it.

[GP40MC1118]

Change in plans. An extra is out of BET around 145PM lite engine 3247 to Ayer to
pick them up and return to BET.