I just noticed that four ex C B & Q / Metra E units for now listed for sale. Most every railfans likes/loves the old E units. This post is being made so you can see them. Hey if you have the $$$ you can even buy one. (I want a cab ride though [;)] ) Enjoy. [:D]
Jim - I am bustin’ my buttons to get there, but no go, so far! Fix it for me!
Mookie
Cool stuff. I want a caboose!!!
Moo, have a talk with your “buttons”, I just clicked on the link and it worked. [;)]
Talbanese [:)]
They usually do have some cabooses for sale. I didn’t check that out today though. [:p]
I banged on mine and it goes nowhere! Maybe I am wound a little too tight - security-wise!
I even typed in the website! Probably too many people going to get there and buy it before I even get to see it!
Christmas is coming in a couple of months[:p].(Hint-hint)[:D]
E-units are great old machines, unfortunately with few long distance passenger trains or excursions needing these units there is almost nowhere to run them as their six axle (A1A?) trucks are prohibitive on many short lines…
Thus, if you were to get one it would likely rust quietly somewhere…sad, but true…
LC
This is good news. Interesting to see who will buy.
Yeah! One of those costs about the same as my house! I could set one along side it and really upstage the guy a couple of blocks over that has a caboose in his back yard!
I was dreaming… My wife would kill me!!
Trust me. I already have a locomotive. It is like having a boat but only getting to run it once or twice a year…
To keep it up and running I need to go through all sorts of very expensive procedures. A 92 day inspection (the rough equivalent of an oil and filter change for yor car) costs about $3,000. Luckily I can get some OOS time…
Oh, and don’t forget the major air brake inspection and update that you must do every three years… (talk about $$$).
Forget about the initial cost of buying the locomotive, the carrying costs are brutal.
It is fun to think about, but even as a licensed locomotive engineer the time I can run it is minimal. I may lease it to a RR just to get out from under the carrying costs for a while…
LC
Wow LimitedClear!
That’s a hard dose of reality! I’m very fond of E units but one has to assume that these E units probably have mileage somewhere in the millions.
Would be wonderful if they were purchased and restored to original appearance.
Antonio-
Feel free to call any of the mechanical folks who have restored or worked on the E units. There are a number that have been restored in various paint schemes (Erie and DL&W come to mind) but when you have locomotives this large with two prime movers and large solid trucks the maintenance costs are daunting. Some of the NRHS Chapters that have them are not operating them due to maintenance and operating costs.
That said, they are nice locomotives and I would like to see them preserved. Unfortunately, I can’t afford a giant paperweight or I’d buy one myself…
LC
This makes me want to go out and buy a ticket for the $60 million lottery, THEN I could buy one!
Start Up Commuter Railroad???
I wonder though, just as on some tugboats isn’t it possible for an E-Unit to run on a single 567 diesel?
If I’m not mistaken, a number of six-axle EMD cab units were converted by (or built for?) various railroads with only one prime mover; the rear section was open for baggage and RPO.
YOU ARE VERY CORRECT…I BELIEVE ROCK ISLAND HAD SOME “POCKET ROCKET” EA UNITS
Hey Jim,
Just think of all the chicks you could pick up with one of those.
Might be able to beat me.
Adrianspeeder