does anyone know how many RS-27’s, U30B’s and GP30’s are left in service?
No, but that depends on whether you mean prototype or models![8D]
I have a GP30 on my layout…
EDIT: If you’re looking for prototype stuff, you might try the TRAINS forums:
I have 2 P2K GP30s that have been superdetailed* on my layout.
*have yet to add one decal to them.
I don’t know about RS-27s, but I know there are U30Bs and Gp30s still out there.
To answer the RS27 question,at last count the Minnisota Commersial had two in service and Peabody coal had one of the original demonstrators still working at one of their mines.
http://www.urbaneagle.com/data/RRdieselchrono.html
You might want to check this out. It tells how many units were built and the production dates.
You would probably have to refer to individual road name rosters to find out retirement dates.
With mergers, rebuilds and resales, it’s probably a question that’s not very easily answered.
I can’t answer your question there, caboose63, but about six months ago I posted a similiar topic on the Prototype Information section about U30C and U33Cs, SD35s, and SD40s on Class 1s. I didn’t get a lot of responses but I did find out through my post as well as some other means that there was still a U30C in service someplace in Georgia albeit on a shortline and that Norfolk Southern had recently whitelined the last of their SD35s - they were, apparently, the last Class 1 user of the marque. SD40s are just a little bit more generous.
One thing you might have to do is purchase the latest Locomotive Roster book and painstakingly go through it page by page to compile a tally.
I can’t think of a single U30B still in revenue service. Nor can I think of any RS27s other than the three mentioned above. GP30s – approximately 150-200. BNSF has over 100 (all rebuilt but they still have the D crankcase) and they are used on a handful of short lines.
RWM
We are talking about ‘old’ engines:
RS27 - Something like 27 built. Minnesota Commercial still has a pair(ex C&NW 901 & 903. The RS27 was a low production engine, and replaced in the Alco catalog by the C424 model.
U30B - About 300 units built(some U28B’s were ‘upgraded’ to U30B’s. I cannot think of any U30B’s still running(maybe in a museum?). The U30B was among the ‘first’ AC/DC transmission engines in the GE catalog.
GP30 - Something like 908 cab units and 40 boosters(UP, some had S/G’s…). ATSF had an upgrade program that increased the hp from 2250 to 2500. BN also had an upgrade program that rewired GP30’s with ‘dash-2’ compatible electricals and IIRC, the engines got ‘645’ power packs - again 2500 hp. BN contracted out the work to several vendors and ‘hulks’ for other railroads,as well as BN GP30/GP35’s were the basis for the ‘GP39’ program. A lot of those upgrades from both railroads are still in service on BNSF.
Jim Bernier
The Plet’s Express DVD Santa brought about the Minnesota Commercial said their two RS-27’s were the last two still in service, thought they may have meant in service on a railroad as opposed to a private company / industrial user.
Be nice if Walthers/Proto released their RS-27’s in MC paint, although it isn’t too hard a paint scheme to do on your own I’d think.
Can’t say about the Alco RS27 as it wasn’t a big seller. The U30B might still have some units in service. The Georgia Central and the Transkentucky Transportation were both heavy users of GE U25, 28, & 30-B units. As was said in an above reply just might have to get a roster book and go through it.