<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by moose: Just wondering who is using these and in what capacity. Any shortlines getting them? Thanks, Andy<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Hi Andy, that's a good question. I think most shortlines would shy away from the turbocharged GP40's, but the GP38's are excellent shortline material. The problem is that most of them have racked up mega-miles; the GP40's were introduced around 1966, so there are plenty in the 30+ year range. An interesting use has been to remanufacture these units and bring them up to date with more current technologies (electronics, electrical systems, etc.). The used, worn out locomotives can also have many of their coomponents used (frame, body, trucks) to make different "models". An example is taking an old GP40 core and remanufacturing it into a GP38 type loco (these may be designated as GP38-3, GP38M, etc, depending on the specs and who built them). The reason I bring this up is you may see what appreas to be a GP40, but internally, it may have been rebuilt to GP38-2 standards; the railroad may even classify it as such. I know CSX has SD40's that are classified as SD40-2's, since they are old SD40's remanufactured to SD40-2 standards. They also have (had) an SD45-2 that was re-engined and classified as an SD40-2. In the Norfolk Southern forum, there is talk of NS rebuilding 80 former high nosed GP38's and includes a picture of the finished product: http://www.trainboard.com/Forum45/HTML/000040.html So who uses them today? I know CSX retired and sold off most of their GP38's & 40's (some 40's went to MOW service; some were converted to road slugs). I think UP has some remanufactured GP38's in service. As far as North Carolina short lines, the Aberdeen & Rockfish has one GP38 that they purchased new still on the rails. The Aberdeen, Carolina, & Western has a couple of GP38's. This summer when I was in Pinehurst on the golf course, a train went by that had a Chessie System GP38 on the point! (It has not been repainted). Hopefully someone else can fill you in on some more details! Chessie ------------------ Harold Hodnett Fan of NS, CSX, and their predecessors! Coming soon: The North Carolina Railfan Web Site http://www.trainweb.org/ncrail/
unfortunately the ns has somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 million gp38's or it seems like because they always end up as road power and our big sd's are in the yards switching. ------------------ fly with route of the eagles.rock n roll all night and railroad everyday!
Shortlines using GP38s include Texas, Oklahoma & Eastern, Kiamichi, Texas Northeastern/Dallas, Garland & Northeastern, and Vermont Ry. The one GP40 user I can think of off the bat is Texas, Oklahoma & Eastern/DeQueen & Eastern. They are factory-original. Certain other shortlines are using deturboed GP40s built to GP38 specs. My list is not complete, by any means, but these are lines I've actually seen using these locomotives. ------------------ Southeast....Southwest.. Ship IT on the Frisco! Bob T. Member # 362 http://hometown.aol.com/slsf1630/myhomepage/profile.html
The Springfield Terminal (Guilford Rail Systems former B&M and Maine Central operation) uses several GP40s(ex B&M and ex CR/PC/NYC) and GP35s (ex NS) and at least one GP38. All units are still as built, no dash 2 upgrades) Also they just aquired 20 ex CN GP40W wide cabs. Pure lashups of 3-4 GP40s on long road trains are common. Their active roster also includes SW1,GP7, GP9, SD26, SD39, SD45 models. A photographer once termed it the "Route of the Dinosaurs"
CP Rail/ Delaware & Hudson also uses GP38s (10 units) and GP40s (4 units) for local service. CP Rail itself still rosters several GP38s and GP38-2s for local use. The D&H units may be dash 2s, not exactly sure.
Talking of dinosaurs, at the week-end, I watched a TV programme about a dinosaur called 'Big Al' (An Allosaurus, found in Wyoming) ------------------ Alan Curtis. Moderator. Member #12 The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.alancurtismodels.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mopac3092: unfortunately the ns has somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 million gp38's or it seems like because they always end up as road power and our big sd's are in the yards switching. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Amen. Usually they're running backwards with the wind whistling through the holes. I did have one in the yard last week though, a 1971 vintage, high nosed, zillion mile '38 that actually ran pretty well considering it was about out of lube oil, the heaters sounded like rock crushers drowning out the radio and the throttle didn't take hold until you got to notch 4. Ah, railroading...nothing like a challenge to keep you on your toes.
The Bangor & Aroostook (BAR) up here in Maine still has around 10 GP 38's on its roster. Hope this is of some help.
I caught a NS train yesterday pushing a train back down the line, from Boylan Junction to the yard (a good couple of miles). The power was a GP38AC and a GP38-2. Harold ------------------ Harold Hodnett Fan of NS, CSX, and their predecessors! Coming soon: The North Carolina Railfan Web Site http://www.trainweb.org/ncrail/
Al, all the D&H GP 38s are -2s. CP ended up getting some GP40s from GRS (saw 4651 in Colonie a few weeks back), I think it may have been 4 as you mentioned. The New GRS GP40s are GP40-2WLs, so are not straight out. ------------------ Corey Lynch Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society, NEB&W RR http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W
The Ann Arbor Railroad in Toledo has 3 eng's- all ex Conrail GP-38's. Conrail in Detroit is currently using ex Conrail & NS GP-38's and CSXT GP-40's in yard service.
I see them a lot around BNSF's Pasco yard. GP38-2, GP39-2, GP39M, GP39E. They seem to be used a lot for short hauls to local industries. I also see GP38-2's teamed with TEBUC6's (which are SD9's rebuilt as slugs, I think) pushing trains over the hump. Greg
