So if this and "2 other units may also be available" - does this mean the Greenbrier Express is no more?

Or maybe they're going with a couple Berkshires or a Northern...... <:-)

Termite7 predicted this. These locomotives were worn out once NS was finished with them and they did not have a strong history of reliable operation to begin with.

Also reading between the lines of previous stories...I think they are going to try and operate with cars coupled onto the back of existing Amtrak trains.

T7

My feeling (and Ross can weigh in on this, if he thinks it's appropriate, or would like to inflate my own sense of being right), is that these things really aren't the answer for regular, reliable service.

The C39-8, while an interesting subject from a historian's perspective, really isn't the best call for reliable power.

I still think he should've picked up those E8s from CNYNRHS, but that idea's gone now.

Well, i have one last fond memory of C39-8 #8202 the one listed for sale on Railswap.Yes the C39-8's may not have been reliable units.The #8202 was the last time i got to run a C39-8 on NS and i had her back on the evening of July 4th, 2007 when i got called to work.It was a hot evening and our call sheet listed our power as the 9107 and 8202.Working for the RR you become familiar with the loco numbers knowing what units are what and i thought thank heavens i had the 9107 as a leader with AC on that hot evening.I got over to the diesel pit did my checks of the units and son of a gun,the 9107 had computor air brake problems.I called the pit foreman and a couple workers came over to look at the 9107 and they said well looks like you'll have to use the 8202 as your leader.

I thought well isn't that great! I do like running some of the older power but the newer units are much nicer.I swapped ends and as my conductor and i rolled off the pitt i said gee this 8202 smells like a roving outhouse on wheels,it actually reeked of urine! and we had to ride in this thing for the next 8-12 hours covering 202 miles.We coupled on to our train of 55 loaded auto racks wich was about 4000 tons and did our air test and departed about 1 1/2 hrs. after we were called.Other than the terrible smell i have to say this, the 8202 ran like a scalded dog doing 60 mph wich is the max. speed you can do with a solid auto rack train.She belched black smoke and threw sparks out her stack when you would notch up wich most of the old GE's do.We had our windows wide open and the evening air began to cool.She ran good that night like a horse running a last race.That was the last time i got to run one of those old humpback C39-8's.The 8202 was a good old unit!

From a Feb 11th article (2 weeks ago) in the Register Herald, Mr Justice says the GBX is still on track, may not be ready by July 2nd, but is still happening.

http://www.register-herald.com/local/x2 ... music-star

Also in the final stages of preparation is The Greenbrier Presidential Express, a luxury touring train that will carry passengers from Washington, D.C., to the resort’s depot.

“We’ve had a few small derailments,” Justice acknowledged. “We’ve still got some hoops to go through.”

With the extra steps required by Amtrak and CSX, driven by government regulations, Justice said he can’t guarantee the train will be plying the rails in time for this year’s Classic, which begins July 2.

“The train will be ready, but there may still be hoops to go through,” he said.

The luxury train — which was gutted and refitted in Pottsville, Pa., last year — will feature a very Greenbrier ambiance, with decor coordinated by Dorothy Draper disciple Carleton Varney, the acclaimed designer who serves as the resort’s curator.

765 is ready... hint hint...

we'll see what happens...

I visited Greenbrier to take the bunker tour. Having seen Draper's work at the hotel, I'm not sure how you scale that back for the relatively narrow confines of a railroad car.

Wesley

Hell, that should be scaled back in the Greenbrier! ....Barf.

Good Lord, that's hideous. Looks like some sorority girl's fantasy home.

Patience is a virtue.

Ross Rowland

Looking over my shoulder Significant Other said, and I quote, "It's Lovely." While it is not quite as I remember it from a stay with my parents in 1945, if I am told that we are going to go there I am not going to argue. I know better. I am simply going to pray that Brother Roland's project has been successful and I can concentrate on the train (what ever may be pulling it) rather then the decor and a carpet that looks like a refugee from a putting green.

GME

I love Roadrunner cartoons. You know he'll elude the Coyote and all those Acme products, the same as before, and leave the road in flames..
but .. oh well, BEEP BEEP