Conrail U-Boats

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Was surprised yesterday to see a Conrail U-36 pull up at Alexandria VA station with about 45 freight cars in tow. A modern CSX engine was in the lead. The U-36 had a snowplow attached and was heavily covered with graffiti so that only the Con in Conrail was busy, making it seem sinister. Are U-boats still a common sight on class 1 roads?

It was such a great day to see an older style locomotive. I commute on VRE to and from work every day and the modern locomotives all look so similar that it’s boring. I used to train watch and take pictures in the 60s and 70s but today, I just enjoy modeling that era and am really not into the modern stuff too much.

2

Watching former Conrail line (now NS) between Altoona and Cresson; I have see only one U-boat, and it was in tow, not running.

3

U-boats are getting increasingly scarce. LS&I has a small fleet of ex-BN U30C’s in iron ore service and TTI in Kentucky has 4-motor U-boats serving a barge loading facility. There may be a handful of others on shortlines and industrials.

4

I don’t think Guilford is running it’s U18s anymore, but they may still have a couple of 23Bs still operating. I’ve only seen their Geeps in action. Someone else may know however.