Hi guys!
I wonder what year Utah Railway started to use MK5000? As far as I know Utah Railway own the only ones that are produced.
They started their service on the Southern Pacific in the early '90s (I think that was when it was). I am not sure what year the Utah got them. They sure looked nice in the bloody nose scheme, though.
Edit: BTW, how is the Royal Gorge and hanging bridge coming along? Looked like you had a really nice start!!
I think they were made in 1994 because MRR did an article of 1994 a while back and the MK5000 was MK’s competitor against the SD70MAC and the Dash9. SP had 3 and UP had three both orders went to the UtahRR. The units seemed to be ok i dont see why UP didnt keep the units.
Yeah; they’re pretty cool!
As for why UP didn’t keep them, they have a reputation for not liking “oddballs” so these wouldn’t really fit in in their fleet.
These units had problems in terms of adhesion. 5000hp is just to much for a unit with DC traction motors. Thats why Utah sent them back and had them downrated to SD50 specs with GM engines and electrical systems.
Oh. I wasn’t aware of that. Thanks for the info!
Trains Magazine had a photo of one of these units leaving the MPI shops a few years ago. It was painted orange and yellow and the long hood looked just like one from a GM product so with the MK cab and the dofasco trucks it still made for a very unique looking engine!
Southern Pacific No.501 was one of three built,after that it was sent to Utah Ry.Some real rare brass models were available,but good luck finding one.
Overland, right?
I’m going to miss the MKs at least Kyle Railway bought them a new home.
On almost a daily basis, I drive by the Motive Power locomotive repair and rebuilding facility. Motive Power is the company who took over the MK facility here in Boise (I believe they purchased all or part of MK). There, on one of their service tracks sits an SD70-like locomotive that is numbered 5000 (I can’t see the entire unit from the road). I have never seen an MK5000, so I can’t say that it is truely an MK5000, I didn’t know that the MK5000 was built that recently, so it comes as a surprise to me that it in fact was that modern of a unit. Having only lived here since 2006, I don’t have the knowledge of MK’s history that people who have lived here all their lives do. I do believe, however, that the MK5000 was built at that facility, at least that’s what a fellow model railroader who used to work for MK had told me. BTW, they use that locomotive for moving client units around the facility when needed.
MK used to also have a facility near me, in Mountaintop, PA where they used to do rebuilds for various railroads. Occasionally they would appear in local trains, like a rebuilt SP tunnel motor in the coke train to Bethlehem Steel (when it was still operating). That would be some 21-22 years ago.
–Randy