M3 Retirement, Scrapping

[R36 Combine Coach]

The Metro-North M3s are OLDER then the LIRR cars are. 1984-85 was when the MNCR fleet was built - 1985-86 is when the LIRR fleet was built. The MNCR fleet was always well kept
and as you note were overhauled. The wear and tear on the LIRR M3 fleet has taken its toll.

The LIRR M3s have a date stenciled on the handbrake housing that by and large is still readable: New Budd or TA (Transit America) with 1985 and 1986 new dates.

The first MNCR M-3As were actually built in 1983 but delivered out of order. As for delivery dates, the 1988 LIRR carload report has M-3 delivery totals from Budd 1984-1986 on page 9 under "Corona", as Budd delivered all M-3s direct from Red Lion to Willets Point. 226 delivered in 1984, 34 1985 and 76 in 1986 (should be an error, as total is 336, not actual 316 MNCR/LIRR combined). Most likely 206 delivered 1984 (including all 142 MNCR), 34 in '85 and 76 in '86.

[UN Block]

Any updates to the M3 WFS/Scrapping numbers?

[BuddR32]

Just saw on facebook today, 9781-2 awaiting its fate in Blissville Yard. Does anyone have a schedule of scrapping?

[UN Block]

Yes, I saw this also. Anybody know EXACTLY which of the 88(?) M3s are getting PTC retrofits?

[freightguy]

Newsday just ran an article today(10/23)that they are going to hang onto the M3’s longer(until 2024) due to delivery issues with the M9A fleet.

[BuddR32]

9799-800 are the next to go, I'm told its in the shop being harvested for parts.

[ConstanceR46]

Why did they move it from wheelspur to blissville?

[DogBert]

Pretty sure the cars at bliss will go to wheelspur once those flats on the creekside track are relocated. They appear to be RR construction flats, not Frontier. They were also repaving wheelspur recently, probably to better accommodate the new freight customer back there.

I can't imagine them trying to load them at blissville. In theory you could set up the cranes in that little driveway area, but the trash shuttle runs all day, and loading the M3s onto flats takes roughly a day.

[BuddR32]

9779-80 Have run their last. They made it to 2020. Will join 9799-800, 9893-4 on the dead line in Holban soon enough.

[BuddR32]

9791-2 are out. This makes 5 pairs of M3s to go since November.

[AlKaLI]

There are 4 M-3s on the end of a track in Holban yard right along the Babylon line. Looks like they will be heading out for scrapping soon. Difficult to see the actual numbers.

[Backshophoss]

They will rot/rust in peace while being stripped of Parts!

[BuddR32]

There are 4 M-3s on the end of a track in Holban yard right along the Babylon line. Looks like they will be heading out for scrapping soon. Difficult to see the actual numbers.

Those are 9799-800, 9893-4

9779-80 & 9791-2 havent made it over there yet.

[DogBert]

Have they retired more M3s lately? Sent any to scrap?

The pair at Blissville are still down there, acquiring new coats of paint all the time.

[Backshophoss]

When will MN start pulling LIRR M-3's to Harmon for refit,then service the Harlem/Hudson Lines???