BL2's; what's the status?

Frank Hicks · **Posted:** Sat Nov 14, 2009 6:42 am

Slightly OT, but the Glen Monhart F-units formerly at NRM are no longer in Green Bay either:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=303948

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sat Nov 14, 2009 9:12 am

Frank Hicks wrote:

Slightly OT, but the Glen Monhart F-units formerly at NRM are no longer in Green Bay either:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=303948

Oh, dear. There's just that possibility that those F's COULD end up on the freight turns south to Crivitz and Green Bay............ [shakes head]

Don C. · **Posted:** Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:44 pm

[quote="Howard P."] Yes, they are slated to become the Ski Train out of Denver, and should make excellent cars for that service. The "spear" couplers are being replaced with H tightlocks.

And while it IS much closer, I think Stourbridge would be reluctant to give up their BL2...

Howard P.
Plains Siding, CT[/quote]

The photos that I have seen of these former LIRR cars indicate that they were built to load off of high-level platforms. If the plans are to load or unload through an adjacent car equipped with low level vestibules, the confusion and crush of passengers, ski boots and skis will quickly become a nightmare. This will be particularly true if a couple of "sets" of these cars are couple together. I don't see that these cars are remotely suited to ski train service.

Don C.

trolleyira · **Joined:** Fri Jul 22, 2005 11:22 pm **Posts:** 219

Though I have no "official" information, I have been led to believe that temporary high level platforms will be used. These will no doubt be wood platforms with stairs.

IronRanger · **Joined:** Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:28 pm **Posts:** 1

BL2's BAR 56 and Janesville & Southeastern 52 were headed south on the Canadian National through Mukwonago, WI at about 1:45 pm on November 11th. They were cut in right behind the two road units. What a sight, 2009 and 1949 vintage locomotives on the head end, although the BL2's were dead in tow. Are they headed to the Illinois Railway Museum at Union, IL?

scottychaos · **Posted:** Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:18 pm

IronRanger wrote:

BL2's BAR 56 and Janesville & Southeastern 52 were headed south on the Canadian National through Mukwonago, WI at about 1:45 pm on November 11th. They were cut in right behind the two road units. What a sight, 2009 and 1949 vintage locomotives on the head end, although the BL2's were dead in tow. Are they headed to the Illinois Railway Museum at Union, IL?

Found a photo here:
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 63&nseq=11

that says they are headed to the Arizona Eastern Railroad..

further reading:
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/r ... ?1,2055786
seems to indicate that no one really knows what the Arizona Eastern is going to do with them! seems unlikely they would be used in revenue service, but the Arizona Eastern *does* already roster some first generation GP's! mechanically virtually the same as the BL2's..so who knows!

Scot

Howard P. · **Posted:** Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:39 pm

Gentlemen:

The BL2s are going to Arizona, and they will be operated. Honest Nick doesn't wind up with ALL the toys..... (it just seems that way :-) ).

Howard P.