If you were a RR museum and were looking for a realiable switcher, with parts easy to find, to use on property (SW series or the like), where would you look these days? Are the class 1’s retiring many these days such that you might get a donation?
Any thoughts are welcome.
Look for a SW1001 or a SW1500 since they were among the last ones made. Use the 645 block so parts should not be to hard to get. If you get lucky might get one with Fleixcoils so smoother ride. Also look at the MP15 series also. Try CP or UP since they have the largerst Fleets I can think of.
DBLSTACK:
A place to start:
| Larrys Truck Electric PO Box 1107 Warren, Ohio 44482-1107 |
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| Contact: George L Bakeris Tel: 330-399-1881 Fax: 330-395-8790 |
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Lists:120 Ton, EMD #SW1200, locomotive, 12-567C engine (2)
And then there is Ozark Mtn Railcar @ http://www.ozarkmountainrailcar.com/
Loco List @ http://www.ozarkmountainrailcar.com/forsale.htm#locomotive
Has a pretty good list of smaller locomotives from EMD, Alco,Baldwin,etc.
Their list under locomotive will show you photos when click on the locomotive description
Good Luck!
There was an article in Trains within the last month or two about sales of used locomotives by UP, I think it was. All of them were big = 6-motor GEs, if I recall correctly. Even the ‘junkers’ went for a price of a couple thousand $ - with the scrap market as high as it is now, I doubt if there would be any ‘give-aways’.
If it’s 645 powered, it’s likely to stay on the railroad. (Scores of them stored by UP here at Denver/Burnham Shops)…
For sheer numbers in the market, get a 567 powered NW-2. How you avoid the Feds emissions restrictions would be an interesting study.
New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority, recently retired the two Staten Island Railway’s two S-1 switchers, and you might contact them as to their disposition and availability of spare parts.
Another place to talk to to purchase such a locomotive (don’t expect a donation) would be Independent Locomotive Service
21 Main Street
Bethel, MN 55005
(763) 434-4661
Dave Nelson
Thanks for the replies guys.
Doublestack:
Keep us posted, and photos, when y’all find what you’re looking for!
You never know. Uncle Pete donated an ex-SP tunnel motor to the Boone & Scenic Valley a while back.
Jeff