by jayrmli
As for other railroads taking better care of their engines mechanically, I will give the following answer: probably.
For the most part though, the engines do find a way to get the job done, whether it is through divine intervention, superior spit and bailing wire, etc. I don't know what it is, but mechanical breakdowns on the main are rare. (I know this means I will have a problem tonight )
As for comparing NYAR to other shortlines with older engines...
Name one other shortline that has to haul and switch freight in between 800 regularly scheduled passenger trains. Answer: there are none. That said, other shortlines can get away with using a 50+ year old engine on their branch. If it breaks down, so what? Just get another 50+ year old engine out to take her place.
The NYAR brought the GP10 back (along with two SW1200s) to haul freight on the Bushwick Branch. This would have worked, using the analogy I gave above. To expect it to "perform like a champ" on a 40 car stone train travelling at 45MPH is a stretch. Hope all the railfans who wanted to see the GP10 on the stone train got their pictures already, because you may not ever see it again. Then again, this company never ceases to amaze me!
Jay
For the most part though, the engines do find a way to get the job done, whether it is through divine intervention, superior spit and bailing wire, etc. I don't know what it is, but mechanical breakdowns on the main are rare. (I know this means I will have a problem tonight )
As for comparing NYAR to other shortlines with older engines...
Name one other shortline that has to haul and switch freight in between 800 regularly scheduled passenger trains. Answer: there are none. That said, other shortlines can get away with using a 50+ year old engine on their branch. If it breaks down, so what? Just get another 50+ year old engine out to take her place.
The NYAR brought the GP10 back (along with two SW1200s) to haul freight on the Bushwick Branch. This would have worked, using the analogy I gave above. To expect it to "perform like a champ" on a 40 car stone train travelling at 45MPH is a stretch. Hope all the railfans who wanted to see the GP10 on the stone train got their pictures already, because you may not ever see it again. Then again, this company never ceases to amaze me!
Jay