I just got news that Norfolk Southern has retired 3 of the 4 Lehigh Valley GP38AC locomotives..

2882 was recently rebuilt, so she is still in service.
but 2881, 2883 and 2884 have been retired..
no idea where they are or what their fate is..

just getting the word out to the world that 3 LV engines *might* be available for preservation..
(only 3 LV engines are officially preserved so far! lets save some more! :)
(I have no clue how to do it..im just passing along the info! ;)

thanks,
Scot

LVRR surviving locomotives
sscotsman@yahoo.com

here they are, so you can see what im talking about..

LVRR GP38AC
sscotsman@yahoo.com

> just getting the word out to the world that
> 3 LV engines *might* be available for
> preservation..
> (only 3 LV engines are officially preserved
> so far! lets save some more! :)
> (I have no clue how to do it..im just
> passing along the info! ;)

For the record, NS is selling off a bunch of GP38's as I type. I have an agent supposedly heading to Roanoke tomorrow on behalf of a buyer. NS is selling them basically for what the market will bear--way into the five figures, depending on condition and specific ailments.

It *might* be wiser to track down the specific locos by NS number (did the other one go to CSX?) and check into its condition. It's likely that some short line will manage to squeeze another decade or more of life out of it. Let's see, are any of the rail-preservation-friendly short lines (Reading & Northern, Ohio Central, etc.) shopping in Roanoke? Of course, if someone can talk NS into a donation to Steamtown, the RR Museum of Pa., or the like, more power to them!

LNER4472-NOSPAM-@bcpl.net

Alexander,
those are the NS numbers..

2881
2883
2884

2882 went through the NS GP38 rebuild program and was re-numbured 5516.
as far as I know, that unit is still, and will remain, in service with NS..(She is classified as a GP38-2 now..from what I have read..)

the original numbers are LV 310,311,312,313.
then conrail 7656, 7657, 7658, 7659.
then NS..

Scot

sscotsman@yahoo.com

> Alexander,
> those are the NS numbers..

> 2881
> 2883
> 2884

> 2882 went through the NS GP38 rebuild
> program and was re-numbured 5516.
> as far as I know, that unit is still, and
> will remain, in service with NS..(She is
> classified as a GP38-2 now..from what I have
> read..)

> the original numbers are LV 310,311,312,313.
> then conrail 7656, 7657, 7658, 7659.
> then NS..

> Scot
There are 14 of those GP's stored at Conway. I never paid much attenetion to the #'s. All they are doing is tying up one of my long tracks that could be used for large orders. I'll look tomorrow and see if any of the 3 are there. The ones at Conway are being used for parts

galberti990@comcast.net

>> It *might* be wiser to track down the
> specific locos by NS number (did the other
> one go to CSX?) and check into its
> condition. It's likely that some short line
> will manage to squeeze another decade or
> more of life out of it. Let's see, are any
> of the rail-preservation-friendly short
> lines (Reading & Northern, Ohio Central,
> etc.) shopping in Roanoke? Of course, if
> someone can talk NS into a donation to
> Steamtown, the RR Museum of Pa., or the
> like, more power to them!

As Sir Topham Hat says: they're "a very useful engine". The idea of talking Steamtown into getting one donated to them is a good one. Let's see if they can do it!

schwartzsj@juno.com

I'm not a rep of Steamtown NHS by a long shot but I'll bet you dollars to donuts they're not interested in a GP38AC or really any diesel for that matter.

Joshua

A GP-38 would be perfect for Steamtown's needs - there are those folks there who understood 4000 HP of 4 axle EMD power solves a lot of operational problems RE: "protection power"- 2 such units could pull any conceivable train-- of course good intentions often don't translate into results w/ the gov't.

superheater@rrmail.com

A diesel is not in their scope of collections. They would not take it.

Joshua

> A diesel is not in their scope of
> collections. They would not take it.

> Joshua

Not to be contrary, but Steamtown NHS does have NKP GP-9 514 and Wabash SW-8 132 as part of their operating collection, and find good uses for both as relief power. The SW-8 has powered the yard shuttles ever since BLW No 26 was taken out of service, and the GP-9 provides other-end power for excursions which cannot be turned--for example, to Tobyhanna.

Whether they would feel they need a GP-38AC from an Anthracite Road they would have to decide, but general precedent certainly exists.


eledbetter@rypn.org

> Not to be contrary, but Steamtown NHS does
> have NKP GP-9 514 and Wabash SW-8 132 as
> part of their operating collection,

I agree with Erik and will expand upon that.

One of the great issues at Steamtown has always been who decides what is accepted. No museum can accept everything-however, sometimes its necessary to consider the nature of the donation.

Without starting a flame war or getting into the realm of who says what or specific policies- my personal opinion is the following: a GP38AC or any other second generation unit is an “asset” and not a “artifact” and should not be subject to rejection on the basis that it is not pertinent to the collection anymore than curatorial oversight should be applied to computers, pickups or any other items that are quite necessary to operate the park.

SPEAKING PURELY HYPOTHETICALLY: In my mind, should an outright donation of valuable non-accesionable equipment be refused- the General Accounting Office should be brought in to conduct an audit with the objective of determing whether or not such a refusal is waste (of taxpayer funds) since every long excursion requires rented power.



superheater@rrmail.com

> Not to be contrary, but Steamtown NHS does
> have NKP GP-9 514 and Wabash SW-8 132 as
> part of their operating collection....

And, given the NS traded these units for #1218, how ironic is it that the big steamer had a shorter excursion life than #514? Not mention that it is #514 that continues to haul folks at a place called STEAMtown. Ironic.

And in all, a great trade. #1218 ran herself home, and STEA has benefitted from #514's years of service.

Rob

I can see it as both an artifact AND an asset. It is an artifact that has some "modern utility" and can be easily "renewed."

In comparison, if it were a LV Baldwin roadswitcher, I would view it as more of an artifact.

> I agree with Erik and will expand upon that.

> One of the great issues at Steamtown has
> always been who decides what is accepted. No
> museum can accept everything-however,
> sometimes its necessary to consider the
> nature of the donation.

> Without starting a flame war or getting into
> the realm of who says what or specific
> policies- my personal opinion is the
> following: a GP38AC or any other second
> generation unit is an “asset” and not a
> “artifact” and should not be subject to
> rejection on the basis that it is not
> pertinent to the collection anymore than
> curatorial oversight should be applied to
> computers, pickups or any other items that
> are quite necessary to operate the park.

> SPEAKING PURELY HYPOTHETICALLY: In my mind,
> should an outright donation of valuable
> non-accesionable equipment be refused- the
> General Accounting Office should be brought
> in to conduct an audit with the objective of
> determing whether or not such a refusal is
> waste (of taxpayer funds) since every long
> excursion requires rented power.


newhaven0401-NOSPAM-@verizon.net

Hello Joshua

Actually, a few years ago when the 514 was ailing and all the steam was in the shop, Steamtown WAS looking for a 4 axle road diesel in the GP38 genre through donation. A few engines were looked at (including an SW in binghamton) but nothing ever fit the bill. The 514 was repaired and now performs well and so on... Would they still be interested in a donation? I don't know.

A few years before that (around 1993) CP rail was to donate an M636 to Steamtown, but the donation was turned down.

Not taking shots or intending to start an argument, but nothing is ever absolute at Steamtown.

Dave Crosby

bing@epix.net

Fair enough Dave, and all. As for potential places for a Lehigh GP how about URHS, ARHS, RMNE, or the museum in Rush, NY?

I don't think the SW-8 at SNHS runs anymore though.

Joshua