NS GP15-1's

Word is that NS has disposed of a number of its GP15's, effective the first of the year. Some of these units have been regulars in my part of the world (especially after the SD9M's were recalled). As such, I am building an album with some photos...

 

Here's my earliest numbered unit (so far). # 1401, already repainted in NS:
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=604130

 

Here's unit # 1409, also repainted in NS:
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=604131

 

Next unit in my collection is # 1414, also in NS paint:
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=604132

 

Here is one of my early pictures of # 1430, still in CR paint. Notice that the rear grill area has been partially plated off:
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=604133

 

Here is # 1431, in CR Operation Lifesaver paint:
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=604134

 

Note this unit also has the rear grill area partially plated over...

 

This photo shows it may have had the rear grill plated over, now removed:
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=604136

 

Here is # 1453:
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=604141

 

A nice overhead shot of # 1453:
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=604139

 

Here is # 1456:
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=604143

 

Here is # 1456 showing off its uncluttered roofline:
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=604140

 

man i don't know why they are disposing of them, those would make great switch units, we had a pair of them on a road train right after they took over conrail, they were great on the local other than no dynamic brakes, which may be why the ns is choosing to remove them, they definately teach you how to use the air which some of the newer and even older guys i ran with were not good at, i luckily had a guy teach me that used air almost all the time and glad he did, my first set-up trip was a potash train to peoria with 3 units and only one with dynamic. after that i used air alot even though the ns frowns hard on that.

 

In the end, the 38-2 rebuilds are a better deal than the 15-1s...

Higher TE, higher HP, longer range, -2 electronics, dynamic brakes, AC/DC electrical system

 

Nice shots Harold!!! Thanks for sharing.Here is one I caught recently.

Dan

 

Dan,
That's a good catch too! Is it coupled to a yard slug?

 

Thanks! As a matter of fact it is!

 

These were taken at Berea, Ohio in the summer of 2005. #1431 used to do a lot of the switching and local work out of Rockport Yard in Berea.
I have not seen this locomotive at Rockport Yard since winter of 2005. Local and switching work is now done with a pair of rebuilt/repainted GP38-somethings. Switching the Ford plant in Berea is still done by an MP-15DC.






If anyone needs a photo of this loco feel free to cut and paste.

 

The GP15-1's were sent out to work the ECBU (East Carolina Business unit) after the return of the SD9M's. I think I started seeing them last fall for the first time. They are typically assigned to small terminals within a couple hours of Raleigh. They return to Raleigh and are placed on outbound train 349 which takes them back for service when needed.