Hi all!
This is my first time posting on the Trains forum, but I am a regular at the MRR section of the site. My main question is on shortline railroads, and the locomotives they use. I would like to use a fictional shortline RR on my layout, and was curious as to what types of locomotives would be used in the early to mid 90’s in the Appalachian Mtns or New England. Also, what types of engine storage facilities were used? Thank you all for your help!
Hi Derrick,
I don’t know about about that area, I’m a left coaster, but I think you will find the answer about the same. A shortline typicaly runs a thin profit margin and when a loco is purchased it is selected by economics more then model. Ultimately, what is cheaper overall to run. That depends on the reliability and parts availabity as well as the qualifications of the maintainance staff (or mabee an outsourced shop) or the familiarity with a certain make. Basicly you work with what you have or what you can get. That might be a fairly new GP, or an older Alco that comes with a parts inventory. There are many variables.
Another factor is when a class one spins off a shortline, they will usually have the option of aquireing motive power from the class one.
Although I am located in between you and Chad, and I have not had the fortune to stake out this area of railroading, I have heard from multiple sources that there are shortlines in this region–especially New England–that are renown for Alcos.
Sorry I could not be of more help.
Gabe
I think your best bet would be a GP38-2.
While we’re not exactly located in a “mountainous region”, a lot of the regionals in this area use GP 38-2s, GP 39-2s & GP 40-2s.
R. J. Corman has some SD 40-2s that do come through here, but the majority
I’ve seen are all 4 axle.
(for the “Short Lines/Regionals”, not to include CSX & NS)
(haven’t seen an ALCO in a Long time!) (only EMDs & GEs)
Shortlines get what they are dealt. Most do not have an engine facility to speak of. They make do.
Shortlines are not honorbound to follow in the footsteps of the seller in terms of where they service their equipment.
The locomotives used are solely a function of what’s available on the market and what type of carloadings they expect to handle. (and I saw big 4-axle Alcos show up on a Kansas wheat hauler in the 1980’s, replacing F-Units, NW-5’s and 3 F units, then replaced by WP GP40’s)
Solely by the numbers in the early 1990’s, the power would most likely be 1st. generation EMD 567 powered unit, probably a road unit. (CF7,GP7 or GP9). End cab switchers were already disappearing.
Out this way…
Reading & Northern prefers EMD 6 axles (SD40s and 50s). With the exception of a few EMD SW units, RN has disposed of all it’s 4 axle power.
The GVT family of short lines is exclusively Alco.
Believe it or not, South Jersey’s SMS Rail is entirely Baldwin.
The Genesee & Wyoming family prefers EMDs.
East Penn uses 4 axle GEs (B23s, I think).
Nick
Welcome,
My experience w/ short lines in general is that they will use whatever they can get their hands on and operate inexpensively. I think on factor is “how short is the short line?” A shortline in my area runs old balwins, F-units, sw switchers, SD-9’s, Gp-38’s, sd-40’s, etc. You name it, they might have it. By the way, only one is in the “official” company paint scheme. Most are left as-is from the previous owner w/ a stencilled reporting mark added (too expensive to repaint.) Here in the midwest, even some bigger regional RR’s were still running GP-7’s, GP-9’s, GP-30’s, GP-35’s until around the year 2000. Still fairly reliable, fully depreciated, parts are plentiful. All the key hallmarks. Frankly I’d think about an SW switcher or an older model GP if you’re building a short shortline (i.e. handling cars of maybe 10 trains on an around the room layout.) A bigger layout w/ bigger trains might command more power like the GP-38 suggested above.
Good luck,
Stack
SD-40 would be my choice as it is a lugger for the hills.
Two SD9’s, GP7’s or similar would also do the job. Keep in mind with a smaller railroad they have a good set of power but nothing like sets of big time consists like the bigger roads.
The Maryland Midland is a smaller railroad that does a good job with the daily trains in central Maryland with a similar engine roster. They are on the internet I think, but forgot the address for it at the moment.
Did a quick google search, and found their site.
Click on the Equipment tab, and you’ll get a roster of their power.
That’s interesting. What kind of Baldwins? I’m assuming S series switchers, but secretly hoping the answer is centipedes.[;)]
Thanks all for your help! I am either considering an ex-CR Gp 35 or an F unit of some sort. I already have a switcher (Atlas S-2 I got for free) so that will be used in conjunction with whatever power I choose. Since the shortline’s mainline will only be about 16’ long and mostly switching work, large road diesels are not really needed.
It really depends on the size of the short line. Most in North Carolina are using SW1500s or GP38s. The Thermal Belt RR in that runs from Bostic to Forest City is using an SW1. It is the oldest diesel still in revenue service in the US.
This site has some good photos of SMS Baldwins http://yardlimit.railfan.net/baldwindiesels/sms/
It also has an audio recording of one of the units.Really neat!I’ve never heard a Baldwin before.
Have a good one.
Bill B