snipped straight from Railpace Hotnews:

METRO-NORTH LOCOMOTIVES SOLD TO SCRAP FIRM: Metro-North Railroad have just marked FL9 2008 (1960 Built Former NH 2033) and F10s 410 (1947 Built Former MBTA 1109, GM&O F3 804a) and 411 (1947 Former MBTA 1113, GM&O F3 809a) for Frontier Industrial Corporation (FICX) scrapping company. The current list of units that are sitting in Croton Harmon, NY not marked at this time is FL9 2012, F10 413, GP8 543 and GP9 750. Railroad Museums and Excursion Railroads should contact Frontier Industrial Corporation (FICX) right away as these locomotives were recently put in storage in running condition prior to being sold to FICX. (posted 11/17)

Frontier Industrial Corp.
1330 Niagara Falls Blvd. • Suite 207
Tonawanda, NY 14150
PH: (716) 447-7587
FAX: (716) 447-7593
General inquiries can also be made to: inquiries@fic-services.com

Illinois Railway Museum, Monticello Railway Museum, or Museum of Transport, can any of you do anything about those GM&O units before it's too late?

Without being too cynical, it's entirely possible that the GM&O units have been so badly rebuilt over the years that they retain little to none of their "historical fabric". These might be better off being traded for more historical power elsewhere, or being put to use on the next dinner train or the like..........

That's very much the case; these units were rebuilt by IC's Paducah shops with HEP capability (using a seperate generator set) and the prime movers may have been replaced or upgraded with 645 power assemblies, so they're no longer mechanically or electrically original. The roofline isn't at all original either, as the high radiator fans have been replaced and a large box structure sits over the dynamic brake area; there's some piping running beside the radiator fans and the HEP generator muffler is mounted prominently to the rear as well. These units could be restored to their original appearance, but they'd be better used as excursion power as Mr. Mitchell suggests.

Gentlemen,

I understand your point, but I remember seeing them and/or their sisters pulling freight and the occasional passenger trains of my youth 50 years ago. I'd rather not end up shaving with what little original fabric is left.

My recollection is that the Paducah rebuilt the prime movers in-kind or with 567 BC conversions. The units still feature polling pockets. The headlight lens retainers were still the earlier version after rebuild.
Tom Coughlin
Stow, MA

I would have liked to see some of these units go to the SFTM myself, or to the Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum.

You're right about the prime movers; I also forgot to mention that the sheet metal covering the steam generator compartment is bulged out, probably to accommodate the HEP generator set.

As was previously mentioned, there is very little of the "original fabric" left on these units, they don't look anything like a GM&O F3. Metro North is very much aware of the 413's status as the oldest operating cab unit, it was once mentioned in an employee newsletter a couple of years ago, so there "maybe" a movement afoot to ensure that unit goes to a good home. The key word there is maybe as $$$ will certainly win out in a potential sale (to a scrapper or whomever) over any sympathy towards preservation of the locomotive. I wouldn't hold your breath to think its going to get donated, however who knows, stranger things have happened!

A couple of years ago, Adirondack Scenic RR acquired the 412 from Metro North, as this unit had been sitting out of service for some time with wreck damage. They repaired the wreck damage and put it into service -- it fits in perfect for their operation as most (or maybe all?) of their coach fleet has been rebuilt to operate off of trainline 480VAC power. My point here is these F10's equipped with HEP gensets in the rear really make the perfect locomotive for any tourist or dinner train outfit that's operating cars that require 480VAC power.

Anyone have the histories of 543 and/or 750?

IIRC 750 was an ex-NYC GP-9 and last GP in New England to keep her Steam Generator, does she still have it?

Which GP was just rebuilt either last or the previous summer?

Thanks,
Rich C.

I second ATK about these being great potential tourist-line units. While they no longer resemble the F3's they were built from, they DO still have that 'classic' cab-unit look. Fortunately, their conversion to FP10's didn't involve adding big ugly square pilots, too many odd appendages on, or cutouts made in the noses, or uglification of the original headlight casing. HEP would seem to make them even more appealing.

MN 543 is a GP8, Ex CR 5432, nee NYC 5770. Mostly unmodified.
MN 750 is a GP9. Ex CR 7508, nee NYC 5935. formerly a NYC torpedo tubed passenger geep with steam boiler. Rebuilt in 2006. "Harmonized" as some call it they removed the top air tanks and steam generator. also they frenched in the marker lights. I believe both units still have 24rl brakes.

If I ever win the lottery, I'm contacting EMD too see if they could put in one of their "710 ECO" conversions in a cab unit. If so, I'm getting at least an AA set, and if I can get a couple "B"s all the better. I wouldn't giver a dern if the interior mechanicals and electricals are original, a running F is better than one stuffed and mounted but with "original fabric".

Rebuilding and repowering is part of the diesel electrical legacy.