Just wondering how the SD90MAC-H are doing? If EMD got there stuff together and built a civilized loco. Or if there still a Big piece of crap on wheels. Maintenence wise. They look great. NOW only if they can run decent! ------------------ Keep on railroad'n
I seen a couple of them though Galesburg the other day. Sorry I forgot the numbers and was not in the reach of a camera. They looked like they were not struggling one bit and they were not sending mosquito killing smoke into the air. Maybe EMD got their crap together? ------------------ Keep on railroad'n
Oops, that didn't make any sense... [This message has been edited by tunnel88 (edited 21 September 2000).]
I heard that they are doing great. All of the new ones are out (the phase II ones that is). The weird thing is that I live really close to Los Angeles and UP is ALL around (Cajon main line is only 10 minutes away) yet I have only seen ONE SD90 in person!! ------------------ Craig Martyn Best Looking Models Around Custom detailing AND N scale detail parts. BLMA N Scale Detail Parts
The UP runs through Milwaukee, and I haven't seen any yet. I hope to stop by the yard sometime and see one though. Hey Jack, I just went to Galesburg for Railroad Days this summer. It was raining all weekend, but it was so cool. It was my first time there, and I've never seen so many trains in one day. Here in Milwaukke, down by the CP tracks, trains come through every half hour. I thought that was a lot of trains, but in Galesburg, there's a train every five minutes. It's such a great atmosphere during the Days. The whole town is covered with railfans from across the nation. I'm gonna go back every year.
Here in Bakersfield, I have had the same experience of only seeing one true SD90MAC in person (#8540). It seems that, with the exception of the occasional stray, most AC units are kept in captive service with most assigned to midwestern unit coal train service (Colorado/Utah/Powder River). Because of their assignment, not many make it to the Southern California area. When they do show up, they usually don't hang around for long. The one I saw was on a hot Eastbound pig train that only stopped in Bakersfield long enough to change crews. ------------------ Kevin Stevens www.trainweb.org/KernJunction
CP Railfan I moved to Galesburg because of the trains. Not to mention, I am going to college to obtain a Railroad Operations Degree. Your right about the trains though we see anything from 80 to 100 trains on somedays through here ranging from vehicle to coal to stack trains through here. I often see about 4 or 5 UP stacks through here That how I seen the SD90MAC. I am one the many railfans that swarm this town on railroad days. Best spot in town is the County 10 bridge that crosses the railyard. Hope to see in 2001. Ever go to Rochelle,IL. I would like to get up there sometime and do some railfanning up there. Just wondering on the traffic situation up there. If it is worth the time to go drive up there. ------------------ Keep on railroad'n
The closest I've been to Rochelle, IL is at Trains.com. There's a live web cam of the UP/BNSF diamonds. It does sound like an interesting place to visit, and I hope to get there sometime. You are right about that bridge over the yards in Galesburg. I stopped by there for about a half hour during RR Days. Lots of action! I want to be an engineer when I grow up. What's the train school like? I saw the three colleges in Galesburg, but never heard about the railroad school. Have fun there in Galesburg! ------------------ What's that? A train horn? Sorry, gotta go!
The Railroad school is part of Carl Sandburg College. It is actually a program of the college. They offer it as a Associates Degree in Railroad Operations. It is a two year degree. I still have a year and half to go. I had to take some time off from for personal reasons. Or I would have been though the program. Oh well I decided to take up residence in Galesburg until I finish it. Only thing though is that the railroad is laying off right now and a lot of conductors are moving though out the system as their seniority permits them to hold a job. I will in the mean time enjoy the trains while I am waiting to get back in college. I am hoping in January 2001. After that I will probably stay in Galesburg. ------------------ Keep on railroad'n [This message has been edited by Jack Doran (edited 26 September 2000).] [This message has been edited by Jack Doran (edited 26 September 2000).]
Seen a AC6000CW and a Phase 2 SD90MAC today 8536 was the MACS number. Are they always being used for the intermodal trains and nothing heavy yet. I hope for the UP's the bugs are kicked out pretty soon.
You guys hang in there and DO graduate from college!! That way you will be able to qualify for whatever jobs ARE available when you have that diploma! I know, I have been there on both sides. I barely made a living as a draftsman, but after I got the BSME I was suddenly worth $1,000.00 more per month than before, and was doing the same type of work! I really don't feel this country will ever function without trains of some sort. The passenger type may be like the TGV, and run on isolated tracks, while some of the present trackage will be saved for freight only. Either way, there will be jobs available for well trained personnel to operate them safely. I am aware of the new robotic freight engines on the designing board, so there may not be freight engineers anymore, but, if the world changes, you can always go on welfare, get a computer and play Space Invaders! ------------------ Watash
There for awhile it was mechanical. Due to the fact that the side walls on the engine block were to thin. They had a lot of problems with the side walls scarring a lot and thay were burning alot of oil. Until further notice they were suppose to be used as trailing units and on intermodal trains. But thats been quite sometime ago I think that EMD should have them running full tilt by know. If not shame on EMD. ------------------ Keep on railroad'n
Watash I only have one more year left to go. I had to take a break for personal reasons. Finally got things back underway. So I will get back in college next semester. I want my degree but still try to keep getting on with the railroad.
Jack,and CPRailfan also, back in my day, there could be two guys sitting side by side doing the same engineering design job, and the rich kid who got to go to college and had a BS got $1,500.00 per month, while we who had worked our way up from the machine shop or tool room, could get $800.00 tops. Prices are diferent today, but the principle is the same. Hang in there! ------------------ Watash
I have all the patience in the world. Until I see one of those coal trains coming in. Then I say to myself that could be me. But I will keep trudging along. I get it one of these days. ------------------ Keep on railroad'n
