I realize that railfanning now days still has a lot to offer. However, one of my great laments is that my age precluded me from witnessing a lot of the classic motive power of the 50s-60s-70s (not to mentione the paint schemes–I so like that IC orange and white). This is not to say I lament passing of steam any less, it is just that I missed some of the classic diesles by so little. My hopes have been Dashed–punn intended.
Anyway, my question is: does anyone know if there are any short lines or regional carriers that have a penchant for operating older locomotives? People do a good job of keeping track of ALCOs. So, no need to educate me concerning them–I know where to find them (Missouri, Arkansas, and New England–too bad about the KBS).
When was the last time you saw an F-unit or a Roadmaster that was not in museum operation or switching some grain elevator (not that that isn’t a treat either). When is the last time you saw an RS-model in either Class-1 or regional service (yes, I know it is an ALCO)?
Please let me know if there are any still around, or if not, when is the last time you saw one on a Class - 1, regional, or short line.
Ever wonder when the last time we will see a Geep will be?
Thanks,
Gabe
P.S. I remember sometime ago, Trains did an article concerning the last U-boat in Class-1 service (on the CSX if I remember right). It was a really good article. It would be really neat to get ahold of an article like that for every venerable locomotive that is no longer as ubiqutous as it once was.
Instead of Roadmaster, I think you mean FM-Trainmaster. I’m not a big old '56 Buick with tailfins & too much chrome. There are still plenty of my cousins out there. The titles of trainmaster, roadmaster, superintendent, master mechanic, Division Engineer, Field Engineer, et. al. go back to railroad management’s military roots.
CN-IC, BNSF, CSX, KCS still call them roadmsters. UP calls them MTM’s (Yuppie tra***erm…Manager of Track Maintenance) and NS call them Track supervisors (which confuses them with motor track inspectors)
I thinkI resemble that remark!
Mudchicken[banghead][banghead][banghead]
PS - Think Whitewater Valley RR and think Lima. Amador Central/Sierra = Baldwin
Upon reflection, I am not sure if I mean Roadmaster or Trainmaster. In any case, I am refering the that Fairbank’s hot rod ending in master. It would really be cool to see one of them in charge of a load of 100+ cars. I would almost rather see that than a steam engine–almost.
You might try the Minnesota Commercial in St. Paul - they still roster quite a
number of Alcos today.
The Wisconsin & Calumet (WICT) used to operate at least one BL2 (I know they
had at least two - one in the “Janesville & Southeastern” IC-inspired paint scheme
and the other still in BAR blue) and an F7A and an F7B - both also in the WICT’s
IC-like brown & orange scheme. Those were around up to and after the buyout by
the Wisconsin & Southern (WSOR) as late as the mid-1990’s. Don’t know what
happened to the WICT BL2s and F7s afterwards (they were still at the Janesville
roundhouse when I photographed them around 1995 I think it was). Of course the
WSOR employed its E unit(s) on their gorgeous business train.
The Iowa Northern had one CF7 in their yellow scheme which I photographed in the
ex-Rock Island yard in Cedar Rapids in 1994. I believe that unit was put out to
pasture not long after the line was bought.
Santa Fe changed the names of yardmasters to Supervisors of Operations in the '80s (…S-O’s)…odd, the killer "B"s would anounce their presence right after the S-O would answer the radio!![:-^][:-^][:-^]
The only Trainmaster left is in a museum in Canada.The Fillmore & Western,in California,just north of Los Angeles,still runs 2 F7s.Several other shortlines around the country still use F units, but FM units are almost extinct.
Metro North still has a few that seem to occasionally be taken out of retirement. Other than that you have to look to tourist railroads, I think. By the way, I rode in an F7 on a fan trip a few years back on the NYSW. What an amazing experience. Nothing sounds like first generation power revving up.
I am in Indianapolis, Indiana. I am somewhat familiar with the operation of older engines near me. The KBS was great. I understand why they went to the GP-38’s but will miss the way they used to do things. Also, the Indiana Transportation Museum runs two F-units (F-7s, I think). Both are dressed in Monon livery and look pretty neat. I think it would be more interesting to see F-7s in charge of a freight train though.
Other than that, I am not aware of where I might see some older motive power. There are still a lot of IC GP-10 rebuilds nearby, but they are so ubiquitous I don’t appreciate them as much as I should. Any advice would be very welcome.
Thanks Randy,
Gabe
FYI, I make three trips to Illinois a year to observe trains (such a great place to do it), probably one trip to Kentucky, and one to Ohio. I am also considering a Michigan excursion.
Take a drive to the Arkansas & Missourri RR. The only place left on the planet you can still hear 8 ALCO C-420s MU’ed pulling up a 2.7 % grade. I am planning to go out there in the future. The Paducha geeps are worth seeing…
Randy
The Fairbanks-Morse units were Train Masters (two words), probably to avoid confusion with the underpowered humans with a similar-sounding title, who have a difficult time pulling their own weight.
When UP took us (CNW) over, the yardmasters were SYOs all of a sudden (Supervisor of Yard Operations, or [p]Sychotic Young Officers). Now they’re calling them yardmasters again. The Traveling Engineers became Managers of Operating Practices. On more than one occasion I’ve gone into the office with a problem or a question, and been told to “grab a MOP”. They love that one!
If you want to see and hear old Baldwin Diesel Locomotives there is an industrial park not far from Philadelphia Pa. across the river in N. J. Here is the link with a roster and directions-- http://www.sms-pennjerseyrail.com/
I saw some B&LE F-units… a really really long time ago. I was a wee lad back then, had to be like 88 or 89. I also remember seeing SD9s up until about the mid 90s when they were replaced by a pair of SW1500s (I think). Now even the SWs are gone.