Which railroad companies keep their equipment in the best condition (i.e. cleanness. comfort level, functionality) and which is the worst? Is their any locomotives that train teams (Eng/Cond) dread getting?
My opinion,
Best: MRL
Worst: UP
I agree with you RJ.
Shortlines often tended to be better at keeping their motive power looking good. Chicago Short Line was a local carrier that kept its SW1001’s and SW1500’s spotless, even though it operated in a major steelmaking area.
Agree with UP being the dirtiest.
Never saw Colorado & Wyoming or Manufacturers Junction diesel locomotives did ya? Spotless!
I think the Arkansas and Missouri is almost neurotic about clean locos if I remember correctly.
I’ve never seen a dirty WSOR diesel.
True.
I fully agree with ezielinski on his note. I also agree that UP would come in dead last and BNSF not far ahead of them.
The Manufacturers Railway of St. Louis keep their locomotives spotless. They are the switching line for Anheuser-Busch and have a Southern inspired green color scheme.
They are a small line, though.
I have seen plenty of filthy locomotives, I couldn’t tell you who the worst offender is. I have seen quite a few ratty looking CSX and NS units come through LaGrange, as well as CP and CN. In fact, CP runs this old Milwaukee Road lcomotive, (GP40, I think, but I could be wrong) which has to be the filthiest thing I have ever seen. I used to see it alot, taking a container transfer from Bensenville to somewhere over the IHB… I have seen quite a few very clean BNSF and UP locomotives, so, to be honest, I couldn’t tell ya who has the worst…
When I worked for the WSOR, They pressure washed the engines every time they were in for 90-day inspections, sooner if necessary.
The ‘if necessary’ part comes more often in the cold weather, the ex-IC SD20s were/are notorious for ‘souping’ oil out the stacks, the 2056 was especially true with this. I once cleaned the windows of oil before a short run over to the UW heater with a cut of coal, by the time I got back, the windows were just as dirty as before I cleaned them.
Best:
WSOR and WC
Worst: UP
Alec
" Union pacific, you are the weakest link… goodbye! " Anyone remember that show? lol!