Shortly after posting my comments about the Juniata Terminal E-8's I received a personal letter from Bennett Levin that commented on the hard work and dedication of his restoration team that is lead by his sons. He went on at length about their skill, hard work and the input they have in the final selected paint schemes.

There is an article in the Trains Magazine Online Newswire that features comments by Eric Levin as to the current plans for the Conrail 4022 to remain painted Conrail Green in "Stored Serviceable" condition.

The article also points out that Mr. Levin's son is still working for Conrail Shared Assets as Superintendent of Motive Power.

Could it be that the young Mr. Levin will have a hand in keeping the Conrail image and Pullman Green livery alive for a bit longer?

EMD710g3b@aol.com

We too have heard from Mr. Levin, and you can see what he had to say at the link immediately below.

To be Erie or Not to be Erie
hkading@mail.rypn.org

> After reading the editorial, I agree and am glad to see that they will serve a useful purpose, but I was wondering if anyone knows where and how many of the Illinios Central E units survived.

Thanks

gnufe@apex.net

> We too have heard from Mr. Levin, and you
> can see what he had to say at the link
> immediately below.

Hume:

Thank you for letting Mr. Levin have his say on the ex-Conrail E units #4021 and #4022. Since I was one of those that expressed an opinion originally let me offer MY reply to Mr. Levins statement. First of all, I would prefer that #4022 be returned to Erie colors/number. However...Mr. Levin is correct. He purchased the locomotive and he can do with it what he wants. I also agree with him that running it as long as it is serviceable makes sense. Mr. Levin also states that when the time comes to retire 4022/833 that he would see that it would go to a reputable museum for preservation. I applaud him on this. So Mr. Levin, you have my blessing (not that you need it of course) to, temporarily at least, paint the unit for Pennsy if that's what you decide to do.

There are a couple of other points that Mr. Levin brought up that I would like to address. Both NS and CSX were certainly within their rights to sell the E's rather than donate them to museums, especially during these "tough times." And he states that both companies have supported museums in the past. I have to agree with him as concerns Norfolk Southern. Our museum (which is not directly on a NS line) has been the benificiary of a number of items from NS over the years including the last NKP caboose on the NS system; a N&W open top hopper car, an ex-W&LE (NKP) gondola, an ex-Wabash troop sleeper, a former NKP wooden bodied tool car and various other items not all of which were railroad rolling stock. CSX on the other hand, which services North Judson, Indiana where our museum is located has donated zip to our museum despite occassional requests over the years.

One other point. Mr. Levin says that isn't it better to have these units running than sitting in a museum somewhere? As I said a bit earlier, yes I agree. BUT...our museum would have operated an E unit if CSX had donated one to us at least on an occasional basis (our Erie S-1 ALCO powers our "caboose hops" for museum visitors on a fairly regular basis for instance.) I would suspect that had an E (or both E's) been donated to another museum, they probably would have run the engines at least on occasion too.

Again Hume, thanks for letting Mr. Levin have his say. Most of what he says makes sense.

Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum)


midlandblb@cs.com

At least two IC E8's, 4023 and 4033, later used by NJ Transit and later yet by a private firm that leased them to Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) before MARC got the ex-BN E's, survive. At last report those two (along with their two ex-PRR mates the same firm owns) were in storage in a location in Ohio I am not inclined to disclose. I am being told that they are being prepared for movement to a loco shop in the Chicago area; more information only after wheels start turning. Somewhat out-of-date information on these locos is available at the link below.

Oh, and Alaska RR's p-30 is former IC E9B 4108.


IC and PRR E8's for lease
LNER4472@gateway.net

What an excellent article by Mr. Levin. I think the 4022 should be in EL. I don't know the condition of the URHS units but since they are PRR perhaps one could be exchanged or leased, but the question of payment comes up. That would give Mr. Levins 3 PRRs and the URHS a genuine Erie E, which should be in EL, since we already have the other "Erie" E. Not to mention that there aren't much if any surviving operational diesels painted EL.
Just my opinion, and I'm sure they have a great future no matter what they get painted as, and I know they're in good hands.

joshuakblay@hotmail.com