Hi All!
Welcome to the Official Thread for the IRHS!
You can find news and updates on the IRHS and subsidiaries that may be helpful.
To start things off, the IRHS is currently negotiating with the G&W on Classic EMDs (Eg. EMD SD7, EMD SD9, EMD GP7, EMD GP9, etc…) and restoring them to their former glory Most of the units listed are former Southern Pacific [SP] Units that haven’t been modernized (They Do not have ditch lights and retain their original specs). Currently, NRPS plans to Internally rebuild them with Wabtec’s Inline series of engines (Inline 3-Cylinder engine that complies with Tier 4 Standards has 1,150HP and isn’t heavy enough to damage the locomotive frame) with this, the EPA Should approve of the units to be operable. No, the radiators are not going to be flared like the SD23T4/ET23DCM they will and always remain the same.
We also currently hope that EMD is willing to take the challenge and build more than 12 EMD SD80MACs (any other units will be donated to the Conrail Historical Society [CRHS]) We are hoping that more than 12, but less than 15 are made and we hope to keep the legacy of the SD80MAC going. as for the SD90MACs we are currently unsure, but NRPS is hoping to acquire more than 4 SD70ACUs from NS, PRLX, or CPKC, and restore them to their original Look when they were used on the INRD, UP, CP, and others. An SD89MAC replica may be in the works in EMDs Classic white Demo unit paint ‘EMDX92’
We also hope to get a replicated BQ23-7 (Which may be impossible since most GE Dash-7s have been Scrapped a while back) but also something that I have never mentioned, a Santa Fe Warbonnet C40-8W and B40-8W Restoration Project - It’s random but it’s been going on for quite some time. The RJ Corman Railroad has a handful of Ex. BNSF Warbonnet Dash-8s (Most are C40-8Ws) that we hope to restore to the classic Santa Fe Railways ‘Warbonnet’ Paint Scheme. It is also potential on an Ex. CSX Conrail Spec C40-8W from the G&W. Currently, there are no updates on the Metra F40PH-2s, but there was an update on the MBTA F40PH-2Cs that were on auction. We may receive four, but they will need heavy attention to restoration due to their condition. This is the same with multiple Ex. New Jersey Transit NJT F40PH-2CATs from Sterling Rail. These units also need immediate attention as they may need a new CAT engine since they were retired a while back. The same goes for P40DCs on the Sterling Rail Website. These units are wrecked, but IRHS is taking the challenge to rebuild them. Also - an ALCo C-420 From the GLLX is expected to join the IRHS family of units but it is uncertain. the same goes for the M-420 another Railway Museum has a Former IAIS M-420 that we are willing to purchase for a high amount of money to preserve and maybe be used on excursion trains or putting it on static display. 2 Former Montana Rail Link [MRL] GMD-1 Units are also going to be used on excursion trains and switching on the Iowa Railway Museum [IARM]. The IRHS is also aiming to preserve Caltrains Retired Gallery Cars before they are scrapped or abandoned - this also includes Metra Gallery Cars.
The following images provided are for projects that have officially gone underway or are about to within the next 3 days
Former NJT EMD F40PH-2CAT
CNW EMD SD80MAC Concept
PNWR EMD SD9 #1854
PNWR EMD SD9 #1854
CSXT EMD SD80MAC YN2
CSXT EMD SD80MAC YN3
Wrecked Amtrak GE P40DC
Ex. Montana Rail Link [MRL] GMD-1
GLLX Ex. IAIS ALCo C-420 #850
IAIS ALCo/MLW or Bombardier M-420 #800
Caltrain Gallery Car
Metra Gallery Cars Pre-Retirement
I know this is a lot to read, but it’s worth it. If anyone wants to help out, join the IRHS team, and help start up a GoFundMe this could really help out with the construction of the rail line. The current goal for donations is $1.5M. this is for basic construction and rail line construction, equipment, and signal installation. Currently, we have $3,600 More than 0.20% of the way there!
If anyone has any suggestions let me know!
IRHS Website
I just figured I would tell you my name so you don’t need to use my username.
