They left a few years agos, didn't they? They were fuel hogs, and one of the first 4 axles to go on NS. Harold
I never liked the appearance of the engine until Atlas/Kato made their model. Now,it sort of grows on you and I think of it as one of the best of the early diesels. GP30s were the last engines the Cotton Belt ordered with yellow safety appliances, thus continuing to contradict the Espee policy of white safety appliances. I knew you guys were waiting to know that!
I always thought the GP-30 look powerful with its bulky overhanging brows. Sorta like the overhanging Elesco feedwater heaters on many heavy freight steamers. OK, so EMD's E-series were sleek and looked fast, but give me a heavy-browed NYC H-Class any day to evoke the feeling of raw power.
IIRC, the GP30s left the roster in the mid-1990s. The last 11 were to have gone to a new shortline in eastern Oklahoma, but when that deal fell through, they wound up going to Watco, where they operated on South Kansas & Oklahoma.
frisco, thanks! i knew that they had several at one time, but couldn't find any info. as to when they left (using dutch schultz's list). thanks again!!! beast
