London diesel engines destroyed
NORMAN DE BONO, Free Press Business Reporter 2005-09-08 02:20:35
Electro-Motive Diesel Inc. lost six London-made locomotives, valued at about $18 million US, in the floodwaters of New Orleans.
The local manufacturer had shipped the rail engines to New Orleans and they were sitting dockside waiting to be shipped to Saudi Arabia when hurricane Katrina hit.
"They will have to be rebuilt," Keith Berry, plant chairperson for Canadian Auto Workers Local 27, said yesterday.
The locomotives were swamped with corrosive salt water.
"They're done. They are traction motors and there is no way they can be salvaged."
It was not clear yesterday who owns the locomotives -- the London manufacturer, the shipper or the rail line in Saudi Arabia -- and whose insurance will be hit with the expense.
"They can't get on site right now to do any inspection," Berry said.
"We can't get any firm answers right now," added an Electro-Motive manager who declined to be identified. "Of all the things to do in New Orleans right now, checking on locomotives is way down on the list."
NORMAN DE BONO, Free Press Business Reporter 2005-09-08 02:20:35
Electro-Motive Diesel Inc. lost six London-made locomotives, valued at about $18 million US, in the floodwaters of New Orleans.
The local manufacturer had shipped the rail engines to New Orleans and they were sitting dockside waiting to be shipped to Saudi Arabia when hurricane Katrina hit.
"They will have to be rebuilt," Keith Berry, plant chairperson for Canadian Auto Workers Local 27, said yesterday.
The locomotives were swamped with corrosive salt water.
"They're done. They are traction motors and there is no way they can be salvaged."
It was not clear yesterday who owns the locomotives -- the London manufacturer, the shipper or the rail line in Saudi Arabia -- and whose insurance will be hit with the expense.
"They can't get on site right now to do any inspection," Berry said.
"We can't get any firm answers right now," added an Electro-Motive manager who declined to be identified. "Of all the things to do in New Orleans right now, checking on locomotives is way down on the list."
