Official M2 / M4 / M6 Retirement Thread

[Noel Weaver]

My guess is that the railroad itself might try to publicize the last run of the M-2's simply to show that they are making progress. I would suggest watching the newspapers in Connecticut on a daily basis and their websites as well. I think that will probably be it. Before you know it, they will all be dead and buried.
Noel Weaver

[R36 Combine Coach]

There's really nothing remarkable about the M-2 Cosmopolitans to be worth honoring. The only historical value is they introduced high platform boarding. They have been in service every day since April 1973.

[jackintosh11]

How many are still in service?

[4400Washboard]

My guess is that the railroad itself might try to publicize the last run of the M-2's simply to show that they are making progress. I would suggest watching the newspapers in Connecticut on a daily basis and their websites as well. I think that will probably be it. Before you know it, they will all be dead and buried.
Noel Weaver

Good point. I shouldve done spme research before asking lol (im lazy)

There's really nothing remarkable about the M-2 Cosmopolitans to be worth honoring. The only historical value is they introduced high platform boarding. They have been in service every day since April 1973.

So what theres nothing historically important i'd like a last ride on the cars whether they have historical value or not

[DutchRailnut]

Then you better get out there fast, as its getting closer and closer.
Last time I looked and that was a few weeks back, we were down to less than 100 cars combined M-2/4/6.

[chrisf]

There's really nothing remarkable about the M-2 Cosmopolitans to be worth honoring. The only historical value is they introduced high platform boarding. They have been in service every day since April 1973.

There's a lot of now-gone railroad equipment that was deemed unremarkable at the time of its demise, and is now lamented as being lost. It's amazing to me that something that was in use daily for 40+ years won't be saved. (Yes, I do understand the costs/space/hazardous materials issues involved.)

[DutchRailnut]

Yes, I do understand the costs/space/hazardous materials issues involved.)

I guess you do NOT understand, in todays litigious society MN/CDOT would be held accountable even if such equipment were to be donated to Museum.
Even with disclaimers, letters of intend etc.

[4400Washboard]

Yes, I do understand the costs/space/hazardous materials issues involved.)

I guess you do NOT understand, in todays litigious society MN/CDOT would be held accountable even if such equipment were to be donated to Museum.
Even with disclaimers, letters of intend etc.

So in other words, the MNRR is responsible for all hazardous materials to be gutted out?

Im confused

[DutchRailnut]

MN is responsible for disposing of hazardous material thru a certified facility, only that facility could guarantee its proper disposal and 100% removal.
so MN can not donate anything with federal controlled hazard material in it.
the liability would not go away.

[chrisf]

Yes, I do understand the costs/space/hazardous materials issues involved.)

I guess you do NOT understand, in todays litigious society MN/CDOT would be held accountable even if such equipment were to be donated to Museum.
Even with disclaimers, letters of intend etc.

No, I do understand that. Asbestos and PCBs were used in electrical equipment that's been preserved and nobody's getting sued over exposure to GG1s.

[DutchRailnut]

The GG-1's were disposed of way before current regulations took effect at that time only transformers needed to be drained or removed.
the M-2's still have trace amounts of PCB's in transformers but regulations are no longer were you just drain oil or remove transformer.
the asbestos is different matter as its in wall's near pantographs, the cars as far as MN/CDOT have been disposed off to cerified hazmat disposer, no donations.
Part of clause with FICX is, they can not sell or donate cause again it will get back to MN/CDOT if someone 20 years from now claims to get sick or improperly handles the hazmat.

[4400Washboard]

MN is responsible for disposing of hazardous material thru a certified facility, only that facility could guarantee its proper disposal and 100% removal.
so MN can not donate anything with federal controlled hazard material in it.
the liability would not go away.

Ok thanks for clarification DutchRailnut

Now it makes sense

[R36 Combine Coach]

If anything, the M-6s are the ones holding historical value, being last new build DC traction cars in North America (1994) and the last of the M-series with the original 1968 Sundberg-Ferar designed body.

[4400Washboard]

If anything, the M-6s are the ones holding historical value, being last new build DC traction cars in North America (1994) and the last of the M-series with the original 1968 Sundberg-Ferar designed body.

and if i remember correctly 2 are being preserved for a fire training facility so they will (hopefully) make their way to a museum later in their life although that seems unlikely imvho

[BuddR32]

The GG-1's were disposed of way before current regulations took effect at that time only transformers needed to be drained or removed.
the M-2's still have trace amounts of PCB's in transformers but regulations are no longer were you just drain oil or remove transformer.
the asbestos is different matter as its in wall's near pantographs, the cars as far as MN/CDOT have been disposed off to cerified hazmat disposer, no donations.
Part of clause with FICX is, they can not sell or donate cause again it will get back to MN/CDOT if someone 20 years from now claims to get sick or improperly handles the hazmat.

Isn't regulation grand? I'm all for not dumping this crap in the waters, and such, but lawyers make anything impossible.

I wonder how the LI got away with giving an M1 pair to the RR Museum of LI