Tadman wrote: ↑Tue Nov 12, 2019 8:37 am
So obviously they don't pay me to make decisions on stuff like this. But what I woud've done - Metra is critically short of good power. JT needs PTC on their engines but can't justify the cost. How about a two year lease to Metra, strictly for use on an easy line like Heritage Corridor or Southwest Service. The price includes a reasonable lease fee and PTC installation.
At the end of two years, Juniata Terminal has a viable future for their locomotives and Metra has a short term solution to move short gentle trains.
The buffs would be all over that side of Chicago if it were to happen...
It's not a new idea -- Wisconsin Southern wanted a E9B to go with their business train, and worked out a deal with the IRM to lease a former UP B unit from the IRM, which also had a MARC E9A as a parts donor. WSOR did the rebuild, repainted it, and ran it as the 102 for several years (IPH bought the parted out MARC A unit for some reason). At the end of the lease, it found its way back to the IRM (took about 18 months to finally move it...).
That said... Unless the JT units are really GP40's in an E carbody, I doubt Metra would want the headache of two oddball locomotives.
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