Grafton & Upton Railroad (G&U) Discussion

article in trains magazine 12/7/2020:
https://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2 ... rbitration

There is a rail fan posting on Trainorders.com saying that G&U is receiving 2 lease units from Precision Locomotive leasing: PNLX 2107(GP38-2) and PNLX 9619(GP40-2LW).
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/ ... ?2,5182489

A photo of CSX Q436-23 with these 2 units was posted on Eastern Railroad Sightings FaceBook page passing West Warren, MA on Saturday 1/23/21. And here is a link to a Tim Darnell capture from 1/21/21 of these two leasers on CSX X412 at Woodbourne PA:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5482059

B722 dropped them off early this morning in N. Grafton.

Here is the MP20GP-3 sitting at N Grafton on a quiet frigid Sunday morning 1/24/21.

The 2107 is actually a MP20GP, rebuilt by MK/Boise years ago. It did start life as a GP38-2:
MP GP38-2 956 to UP 2107 to HLCX 208 to UP 1838 (still working on its history past that point)
BN: 71702-34 FN: 71702-34 BD: 5/73

9619 GP40-2LW Ex-SSRX 9619, PRLX 96197, CN 9619
BN: A3254 ON: C376 BD: 8/75

Thanks for the catch on the PNLX 2107 being an MP20GP-3 and not a GP38. The provenance trail on this unit is a bit muddy on the internet but the Utahrails.net site which tracks to a fare-the-well the rosters of UP and affiliates over time says this unit actually started out as MP GP50 #3504 delivered in 1980-81. PNLX #2107's long hood does have the GP50's 3 radiator fans as opposed to the GP38's 2 fans.

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/ ... 0b-upy2100

John - You are correct on it starting life as a MP GP50. I got tripped up by UP 2107 versus UPY 2107! 2107
MP20B-3 Ex-UPY 2107, UP GP50 (1662), UP GP50 964, MP GP50 3504 BN: 797322-5 BN: 11/80
Notes: Wore UP Yellow as MP 3504. Renumbered 1/17/92 to 964. Planned renumbered to 1662 not completed.
Retired 9/30/04. Retired 8/25/06 "core" unit for MPI MP20B-3 Project. Released MPI 10/10/06 as UPY 2107.
UP designation is MP20GP.

Also understand that both units are here for PTC installations, then headed to Metro-North

I take all their older engines are for sale or waiting to be scrapped? What's going to happen with the F unit?

Interesting that a RR with no need for or experience with PTC would be contracted to install PTC (ACSES II?). But that raises another interesting point that G&U’s non-PTC track connects on both ends to MBTA PTC track at N Grafton and Forge Park. If G&U ops were ever to expand further, it would have to use locomotives with ACSES II PTC gear.

It's likely that a contractor is renting shop space from the G&U to do the PTC installs on those two leasers heading to Metro North.

There are exemptions in the regulation for limited and short distance moves by shortlines. Fore River and Mass Coastal (until SCR at least) don't need PTC for example.

article in yesterday's milford daily news:

https://www.milforddailynews.com/story/ ... 258242001/

This mediation settlement appears to me to be a very reasonable compromise. Perhaps even a win-win. For disappointed residents, their next opportunity for having a say in future Hopedale land development is what to do with the real estate made available with the demolition of the Draper Mill. Thanks for posting the article link.

is the g & u getting any of the c & d removal business from the mill? one million sq. ft. of debris makes for a
mind boggling amount of truckloads on local streets. used bricks anyone?

Bk77, it sounds just like that, a partnership.

From G&U’s LinkedIn page:

The GU welcomes Precision Locomotive Leasing to our locomotive shop in North Grafton, MA for the installation of PTC on these beautiful locomotives. For more information about the locomotive and freight car repair services offered by the GU, please reach out to us at [email protected]

For information about leasing, please reach out to Nate Evans at Precision Locomotive Leasing and Sales