I was suprised to see this photo:http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=112695Are there any more E's, F's or Alco FA's that might have a date with the torch?

I am really tired of the spyware from Railpictures. Since that is the only site since I had a scrub, seems that its a good bet for the infection.

This looks quite serious. I have asked about these units on this board for several years - with the response being that the half completed restoratino, started by a local NRHS chapter, will be restarted soon. These units are nee-Wabash 1009, widely famous as the 10,000 EMD E-unit purchased, and RF&P 1002. Both units are significant as the only surviving passenger diesels from their respective railroads. More significantly, however, they are among a small handful of surviving E-units that were never modified for commuter service or rebuilt by Morrison Knudsen (nee-CB&Q), or ICG Paduach (IC, NYC, PRR) or other programs (C&NW, NJT) - as many surviving units have been. These rebuilding programs significanly altered these respective units from their EMD specs in order to adapt them for the revenue passenger service needs of the 70's and 80's. Both units need to be saved - even if this means putting them in indoor storage for a good number of years until funds can be raised for a full restoration.Also, what else is in the line of equipment marked as "scrap?" Does anybody here know the full story, or have a contact at the VMT? Tom Cornillie

The restoration, I'm pretty sure, was NOT started by the Roanoke Chapter NRHS. Rather it was started by the museum staff which apparently cut donated stainless steel to specification size without taking time to measure actual size only to cut the sheets too small. At least that's the story I got from several sources.Remember, measure TWICE - then cut. Ususally works.

Hi AllFrom what I understand there is as yet no plans to restore these E8s and I hope there are no plans to Scrap these units either. They are very Historic pieces..As I remember the story, Stainless sheets were bought for the sides then after measurments were made the peices were cut to fit. every sheet was exactly 3 inches too short. Finally after sitting for some time the stainless was sold and the project halted. With todays plasma cutters and welders the stainless could have been welded back together.Andrew MartinPS As far as Spyware and Adware you can download the Hosts file and install it. that will get rid of most adware and a lot of popups.If you want more info on this file contact me back channel and I will email you about itALM

someone possible wrote "scrap" on them as a commentary on their condition..it doesent necessarily mean they are officially being marked for scrapping.Scot

Storing these units in an unprotected area seems like a good way to invite vandalism of the electrical components and numerous other easily removable items that have scrap value. At a minimum they should be kept on the musuem grounds where there is fencing and security. I hate to say it, but it seems as though the fate of these units is being sealed through this neglect -- and if they are scrapped it will be with the excuse that they were too deteriorated to feasibly restore and because there was no interest from other groups in acquiring them.Tom Cornillie

Even without addressing the problem of scrap thieves (do you know how much copper piping and wiring can get stolen out of an E8? I do, firsthand, having had to help replace the air lines that were stolen out of the ex-B&O one in Baltimore....), leaving these locos out in the open is an invitation to structural disaster.As is plainly visible from the photo, the frames of an E8 are a side truss frame, much like a bridge. On the locos I've worked on, the bottom junctions between the diagonal members and the vertical members became recesses that trapped water and/or wet sand/dirt, creating serious rust problems as the units aged. The subsequent (preservation) owners of the units responded by cutting drain holes that EMD would have been wise to have provided in the first place, then attacking the rust problem with power tools, rust converter, and paint. And that was on locomotives WITH siding.

I am going to indulge in some wild speculation-perhaps NS is going to be redoing the sides for VMT at the Roanoke Shop :-)

In my opinion, the odds of that are about as good as that of NS putting 611 back in service.

Hi Gary,In your opinion is there any hope for thes two E8s being at least cosmetically restored?Andrew

Hi AllI was wondering if anyone had heard any more on these EsAndrew