...no, that subject line is not off-the-wall.

Strasburg has acquired an SW-8. SRC gets a "big" diesel and no one (Kelly, Steve, Linn) see fit to mention it? Tell us more about it, please.

Howard P.
Layshaft, CT

[sarcasm]

It's probably something a client needs converted to steam, or maybe coal-slurry fuel. Or to whatever the Thomas the Tank Engine diesel is.

[/sarcasm]

(^_^)

Strasburg has acquired an SW-8. SRC gets a "big" diesel and no one (Kelly, Steve, Linn) see fit to mention it? Tell us more about it, please.

As a private organization, that accepts no public funding and has no exemption from tax, they have no duty to provide discussion and analysis.

Also, given that other organizations have been subjected to slings and arrows for failing to meet the sometimes rather fanciful expectations of the "railfan community", one can understand their silence.

Anybody remember the 425 headlight debacle? (can't remember whether it was here or somewhere else)

Not looking to "zap" SRC about it; I suspect it has something to do with the difficulty in keeping a 44-tonner powered by Cat D-17000 engines going in 2008. Frankly, I think it's pretty cool. And they've always been rather forthright about the visible goings-on at SRC.

Howard P.
a known diesel fan

So does this mean we'll get to see a pup restored to Penn Central?
(Ducks and runs for cover)

Kevin O

The pic I saw had the PRR number already applied in imitation gold on a patch of DGLE on the cab side. But black PC, now that would be a head-turner. Might even create some new photo freight charter opportunities.

Howard P.

.

Thanks, Kelly. Sounds like a good loco. NYC, eh? I might even have a shot of that unit in-service around New York in the late 60s; have to hunt it up.

Howard P.

I feel your pain. We are having the same issues with the availability of certain parts. We may also be having the retire vs. remotor debate at some point as well. Just out of curiosity, what have you had difficulty finding? We have been able to get most gaskets and even a piston from CAT. We have been able to find heads elsewhere, but they all had to be worked before they could be used. Apparently one of the major design flaws of the D-17000 is that the heads have the tendency crack across the valve seat.

Andrew Durden
SRM

We inspected this locomotive about a year ago on behalf of a third party and came to the same conclusions, i.e., it was a good unit at a reasonable price. The third party decided not to buy the engine, a decision I think they are regretting now that their industrial dinky has gone on the fritz.

Alan Maples
Everett Railroad

OH, I do like that picture!! All the steam jocks checking the new-fangled loco out; looks like the old shots of EMC 103 on the demo runs.

"Where the heck do ya shovel in the coal?"

"What, no lubricator? "

Time to learn a new language....

Howard P.

Hey Kelly.

Did you check with the Roebling Historic Society about buying an engine from one of their 44 tonners? From what I understand, they were all serviced before they were stored. Since they are a non-profit, they are always looking for income.

Later!
Mr. Ed

This discussion makes me wonder about SCRM's on again, off again discussions about returning our 44-tonner to operation. We have PRR #9339, later Foster-Dixieanna Sand and now RR&W #33. It's reasonably intact, although some of the trim has been lost over the years. It's currently o/s simply because we've got four bigger, stronger engines and it needs a COTS, FRA glazing, and some other (relatively light) mechanical work. Our unit has MU plugs, IIRC the SRR unit doesn't?

Granted we haven't run the 33 in almost ten years. However, when Clif needed something, he was usually able to get consumables like filters and gaskets from NAPA in Winnsboro. To my knowledge nothing major has broken on the 33 since we've had her, although Clif did have to do some welding on the compressor mount and he says that one motor mount "has issues."

I like the idea of the PC paint on the SW. Although a photo freight pulled by a PC locomotive on track as good as the SRR's wouldn't look right at ALL! ;o)

My vote, not that I get one, is if the original NYC scheme is unpalatable, then solid black with STRASBURG in 5" gold leaf letters on the side of the hood. Very understated and railroady, ala the early Lackawanna SC's.

Let the worms stay buried.

Old CAT parts can usually be found by networking through the eb site of antique heavy equipment operators. They are a lot like us in terms of being an eccentric subculture devoted to rusty iron. The jargon may be slightly different; the personality deficiencies are very much the same.

I found a completely overhauled electric start 17000 that would rop right into The Duck for $6000. Instead a new engine, power train, etc was retrofit for over $30,000. Might be worth considering.....

dave