Sierra Baldwins for sale?

John Barnhill Mar 14, 2007

  1. John Barnhill

    John Barnhill TrainBoard Member

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    Heard elsewhere that all three Sierra Baldwin units #40, 42, and 44 are all up for sale. Seems Sierra needs some cash to keep its operations goin and is selling off anything they can that is not helping them make money. Anybody got any further news?? I'll keep an ear open.
     
  2. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Are their rail shipments down? If true, it would be nice to see one Baldwin go to preservation.

    Boxcab E50
     
  3. JDLX

    JDLX TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, rail shipments on the Sierra are way down. The hoped for aggregate shipments and other traffic that Mike Hart spoke so highly of when he bought the railroad have so far failed to materialize. The railroad has continued to be reliant on the two Sierra Pacific Industries sawmills, one each in Chinese Camp and Standard. Both plants spent a good part of last year shut down...I think one continues to be closed down and the other one has gone exclusively into cedar work, primarily fencing materials. This has translated into essentially no freight business for the Sierra for quite a while now (something like less than 10 cars a month, if even that). They did haul their first propane loads in many years not too long ago...but not at a rate that will keep the railroad healthy.

    The line has their fleet of EMD's that can handle all motive power needs, and the Baldwins had only been used for "fluff" stuff. Only the #42 is operable, and it's asking price is $80,000. The #40 and #44 have been heavily cannibalized to keep the #42 operating and are available at $22,000 each. The units are available through Ozark Mountain railcar.

    Jeff Moore
    Elko, NV
     
  4. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    That's sad news. I hope they can find a way to survive.

    :sad:

    Boxcab E50
     
  5. John Barnhill

    John Barnhill TrainBoard Member

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    Appearently the Sierra has also sold of at least one if not more of the ex BN B30-7A B units to NRE. #4006 which was being used on the ex Yolo Shortline now Sierra Northern has been spotted recently as NREX #4006. An absence of the other units in use at Oakdale has also been noted.
     
  6. John Barnhill

    John Barnhill TrainBoard Member

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    new news...

    Two of the Sierra Baldwins have now been sold, third has a new reduced price.

    Found this info at Ozark Mountain Railcar
    Units sold are #40 and #44.
    #42 now has a reduced price of $75k and is operational. This is the one that got repainted blue and used on the dinner train.

    The site lists no info on who bought 40 & 44 but from the pics at the links above it appears all three are still stored in Oakdale.
     
  7. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I wonder what the value is today of an operational Baldwin switcher? How difficult is it to obtain necessary repair parts?

    Boxcab E50
     
  8. John Barnhill

    John Barnhill TrainBoard Member

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    The two units sold will be going to SMS Railservices of New Jersey.
     
  9. Triplex

    Triplex TrainBoard Member

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    Presumably just for parts sources to keep their fleet going - but SMS's fleet is the last of its kind, and anything that helps maintain that is good. But since they didn't take the operating unit, I doubt it'll see regular service ever again.
     
  10. John Barnhill

    John Barnhill TrainBoard Member

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    Now I'm getting a report the two sold are being scrapped on site as of today. Not sure whats true. Photos are supposedly coming of the scrapping. I'll keep y'all posted on what I learn.
     
  11. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    If true, bummer. :tb-sad::tb-sad::tb-sad:

    Boxcab E50
     
  12. Curn

    Curn TrainBoard Member

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    My dad worked for the Sierra, and when I was a boy he would take me on rides of those Baldwins. Between Warnerville and Keystone he would let me drive. Just had to keep the train at 10mph. Those were some fun trips! Its a shame to see them scraped, but 40 and 44 have been used for parts for some time now, and neither of them would ever run again at this point. At least their sacrifice will keep other locomotives running. As for 42, it will probably go to the same buyer once they lower the price enough. Oh well. I didn't like its new paint job anyway.

    The biggest loss is the banana sticker collection on the inside roof of the cab. It was rather large the last time I saw it. One sticker for for each lunch.
     
  13. JCater

    JCater TrainBoard Member

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    Sad news if those Baldwins are gone but as Curn says at least the parts will help keep another engine alive for a while. Thanks for the personal touch about the banana stickers, those trips will live on in your memory for sure!
     
  14. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    If they are being scrapped, I wonder what was their sale price? Am thinking it must have been much lower than noted earlier here. Having been partially cannabalized beforehand. I also wonder what was left to salvage. Trucks? And?

    Boxcab E50
     
  15. OC Engineer JD

    OC Engineer JD Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I did see a photo on TrainOrders......they are being scrapped, and the photo showed them cut up to the frame, with the cab pieces and carbody pieces in a pile on the ground.....what a shame. :(
     
  16. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    So it is true. A tragedy for RR history. :(

    Boxcab E50
     
  17. John Barnhill

    John Barnhill TrainBoard Member

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    Real bummer. Too bad cause AMC #9 also got the torch. We need to save at least one of the Baldwins. Sierra #42 and Amador Foothills #10 are left.
     
  18. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    What is the status of AF #10, as far as being semi-safe?

    Boxcab E50
     
  19. John Barnhill

    John Barnhill TrainBoard Member

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    From what I understand, Nevada Northern is supposedly going to get AF#10. This hasn't happened yet. She still sits inside at Martell,CA. That is the latest I've read.
     
  20. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    If being kept inside, that certainly helps. Someone cares at least a little bit. Let us hope...

    Boxcab E50
     

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