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Former Canadian National F-unit heads to Colorado
Are they planning on rebuilding the units?? I certainly miss seeing the F7A and B units way back when CN and Via had them in their diesel roster.
SL&RG (freight), Rio Grande Scenic (passenger ops) are accumulating lots of equipment these days. The busier Alamosa yard now features a small steam loco house and a good-sized car rehab shop. Nightly freight runs connect with UP in Walsenburg. Tourist trains go to east to La Veta, west to Monte Vista, south to a ng C&TS connection in Antonito.
More passenger cars, and a couple dozen former Amtrak reefers were bought to haul local crops of potatoes grown in the San Luis Valley. Former LS&I 20 , twin to operating 18, is undergoing rebuild in Alamosa. SP 1744 gets a new boiler for return to service soon.
Owner Iowa Pacific Holdings is running Illinois Central-painted varnish locally and on east-of-Chicago Amtrak trains. Busy IPH pres Ed Ellis just took over the Texas State Railway from short-time owner/AHR head Al Harper. Stand back and watch the action.
Love aba or abba lashups
Waccamah Coast Line was the predecessor to CASO.
I’m sad to see that the old girl has left S. Carolina. Wonder what this means for the viability of the S. Carolina Central?
Thanks for the picture! Looking forward to seeing the unit in new paint.
Why cant you tell us the RR is owned by Iowa Pacific Holdings?
I wonder if it will be teamed with their A unit? We had the A unit leading one of the two photo trains we had last August (2011), and it was having trouble “loading up.” It was to pull the two Great Domes the second day, but they had to put a GE unit on the front end. This would give them two units. Our first-day train was led by their steamer, the No. 18.
In Alamosa CO once or twice a month I look forward to the arrival of this unit. The Sl & RG are gathering quite a collection. Probably thanks to Ed Ellis. Still a few spots around where you can see signs of the third rail.
As a former locomotive engineer at one of Iowa Pacific Holding short line railroads, I believe it’s safe to say that President Ellis was/is a champion of covered wagon locomotives. The company possesses one of the largest fleets to date. This acquisition is just another plus. I’m pleased to see them preserved and used. They really look great on a train whose colors all match for a pleasant streamline appearance. My favorites were E9 and F9; both good haulers.
My all time favorite was the F40’s which some people don’t consider true covered wagons as such, but were easy to operate and responsive.