Maine Central GE U18B Locomotives (MEC 400 - 409)

[MEC407]

Here are some more MEC U18B videos for your viewing pleasure, courtesy of Porcupine Productions:

404 leading DHWA (Glennville to Waterville freight) in 1992: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7Kgd13BqTA

404 leading LAPO (Lawrence to South Portland freight) in 1992: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0sqtTSABgc

400 and 405 hauling MASE (Mattawamkeag to Selkirk freight) in 1990: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcuZF8saa38

404 and 400 hauling SENE (Selkirk to South Portland freight) in 1990: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLKb5hHFK6w

406 on the Lawrence Switcher in 1991: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQAMs94YHGg

405 leading an Ayer-bound freight in 1991: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nVwbbxu6SA

405 leading RUPO (Rumford to South Portland freight) in 1989: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08u6JMHVHsk

400 leading DHBA (Glennville to Bangor freight) in 1993: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8AMuW3XaVk

404 and 407 on PODH (South Portland to Glennville freight) in 1993: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq7je_ACooc

400 leading DHWA (Glennville to Waterville freight) in 1992: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFGQ_vtvAU8


ex-D&H U23Bs are also seen in some of the above videos.

[MEC407]

Also of note: the Pentrex videos U-Boat Survivors and Today's Maine Railroads both include some nice MEC U18B footage.

[RGlueck]

Did any of the MEC U18B's survive to this date?

[MEC407]

I guess it depends on your definition of "survive," but 404 and 407 were still partially intact in Canada as of fairly recently. It appeared, based on the photos I saw, that they were being stripped of all usable parts.

All other MEC U18Bs are gone forever. 404 and 407 may also be essentially gone forever, considering their current condition... which is unfortunate because they were operable and blue carded when Guilford sold them. They would've been great power for a shortline or a scenic railroad.

As far as I can tell, the only U18Bs still operating in the U.S. are the ex-CSX units on the Pickens Railway in South Carolina. There was a nice article about them in the TRAINS Magazine Locomotive Annual 2012, including the following quotes:

These are great shortline engines, very fuel efficient; they use a third as much fuel as an EMD.

They're extremely tough . . . just a good workhorse engine and low maintenance.

Coming from a tight-budget shortline, I think that's one heck of a glowing endorsement... and I think it also gives us some insight into why they were good power for Maine Central.

[161pw165]

The Southern Railroad of New Jersey still rosters the ex P&W U18B (#1801).

[MEC407]

Do they still operate it?

[RGlueck]

There is a significant difference between a locomotive that actually ran for the MEC and one "dressed up" to look like an MEC locomotive.
One of the MEC u18B's rebuilt would pass as the former.

[chrisf]

Is it just me or do the V8s in these things have a strange sound compared to their larger siblings?

[MEC407]

It's not just you. They have a very different sound. My impression is that this may have as much to do with the smaller turbocharger as it has to do with the lower number of cylinders.

The V12 also sounds different than the V16, but it's not as dramatic a difference as comparing the V8 to the V16. The V8 has a "putt-putt" sound, whereas the V12 and V16 have more of a barking sound.

A similar difference in sound can be heard when comparing the V8-powered Alco C415 to the various V12- and V16-powered Alcos. The 12s and 16s bark; the 8 putts.

[ferroequinarchaeologist]

Did somebody say SOUND?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqroZATZ ... sults_main

PBM

[MEC407]

Indeed! I love that video.

Here's another one of 404 and 407 at speed on the NECR in 1997: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7cTOQ4hhbs

They looked ratty but they pulled just fine!

[MEC407]

Trio of U18Bs (402, 404, 407) at Rigby Yard in 1995: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2hjh5YmLRc

Also seen in this video is ST 35, an ex-B&M passenger GP7 in fresh GRS paint.

[toolmaker]

Trio of U18Bs (402, 404, 407) at Rigby Yard in 1995: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2hjh5YmLRc

Also seen in this video is ST 35, an ex-B&M passenger GP7 in fresh GRS paint.

This user is doing a great job loading these oldies up to YouTube for all of us to watch. I'm amazed so many people fail to acknowledge his time and effort then leave the site without hitting the "like" button. Thank you Craig!

(okay, it's just my 2 cents)

[Mikejf]

Love the way those sound.

[MEC407]

Nice shot of MEC 400 by Roger Lalonde: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=478949" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;