Status of the GP7s and GP9s

[ShortlinesUSA]

Are all of these stored, other than the pair on lease to MMA? It is hard to imagine the Madison and Hinckley branches with anything but the old geeps, but from what I am piecing together sounds like that is imminent if not already the case?

Appreciate any info.

[calaisbranch]

Word had it that the only units not stored besides the 51 and 71 at NMJ were GP7 #15 being used as a Waterville shop gopher and GP9 #52. All others are stored as of now. Not sure which ones are considered serviceable or not.

J Bray

[atholrail]

I think the 77 is working the hump at Deerfield with the 52. I'll know for sure tonight.

[jwhite07]

Whatever became of MEC 450 (ex Algoma Central 171)? It was the last GP9 ever built and would have been a nice candidate for preservation.

[guilfordrailfan]

MEC 450 was renumbered ST 21 in 1987. ST 21 was scrapped by Guilford in the mid 1990's.

Regarding the others-
52 & 77 remain active on the East Deerfield hump.
51 & 71 had been stored but were recently leased to MMA. Both seem to be having problems.
15 "may" be active but restricted to the Waterville shop switcher. Haven't seen a report on that one in awhile.
All other Pan Am GP7's and GP9's (12 45 54 62 72) are in storage.

Also worthy of note is that all remaining Pan Am GP35's, all remaining 6-axles (621 643 681 690) and roster unique BM 252 have been in storage since mid January or before. All these locomotives are very tired and beyond worn out.

[calaisbranch]

Yesterday while hanging around at Northern Maine Junction to start the day, I nearly fell out of my car when SAPPI-3 called District 1 with #77 on the lead for the run to Waterville. Just psyched by the fact of possibly seeing one on them on the point of an actual road train for the first time since last Winter, I was even more pumped to find #72 with it once I got out that way. Thinking I couldn't top that with what remained of foliage, #71 was sitting by the yard office with 510! A fluke, or are they realizing they still can't carry the branches with one GP40?

[Mcoov]

Pics or it didn't happen!

[guilfordrailfan]

Pics or it didn't happen!

http://photos.nerail.org/s/?p=178971

[MEC407]

Sweet!

[calaisbranch]

Pics or it didn't happen!

Man, you want everything?!

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo ... 716355.jpg
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo ... 116686.jpg

[KSmitty]

Nice shots Jeff,
That must have been one awesome sight, 3 of the old girls all in one picture, WOW!

[calaisbranch]

Personally, it was like I died and went to Heaven! I'll be listening Saturday morning to get an idea what will be on SAPPI this weekend. If it's something good, I'll post it ahead and probably try for the old Halloween scheme on its rightful day Sunday. BTW, the horn on #77 has got to be the best of all the '9s and one of the better on the whole system. Even though we have the horn thread going, I'm too lazy to jump back over there right now.

[MEC407]

BTW, the horn on #77 has got to be the best of all the '9s and one of the better on the whole system. Even though we have the horn thread going, I'm too lazy to jump back over there right now.

That's a K3L, which they swapped from one of the 500s.

[b&m 1566]

So when they all showed up at Waterville months back was that Pan Am trying to retire them or was it for servicing?

[calaisbranch]

So when they all showed up at Waterville months back was that Pan Am trying to retire them or was it for servicing?

I personally keep hearing that PAR is trying to retire these oldies. Funny you ask though.....When I saw the 71 in Waterville last week, its brakes all had new pads. Nothing else really stood out. I didn't notice on the 77 or 72, but their old prime mover hearts sounded mighty fine pulling through Shawmut! I'll be listening to the scanner starting around 10:45a Saturday to hear if SAPPI-3 will again have '9s on the lead.