I was very interested in the brief about the ex-PRR E8 just acquired by the Monticello Railroad Museum. I am a fan of ALL E units wherever they may be. But a question comes to mind. Instead of painting this unit into IC colors, why not see if they can get the ORIGINAL IC unit that is languishing in Ohio looking for a buyer. Perhaps a trade can be worked out.

kevin.r.gillespie@verizon.net

> Instead of painting this unit into IC colors,
> why not see if they can get the ORIGINAL IC
> unit that is languishing in Ohio looking for a > buyer. Perhaps a trade can be worked out.

Coming off that, and not knowing much about Monticello, I found the following NKP cars at their website:

# 329 Baggage Nickel Plate Rd. Pullman 1929
# 356 Rail Post Office Nickel Plate Rd.
Pullman 1924

Looks like they have a decent start on a Nickel Plate passenger train as well. Could ge's much-maligned #64 find a home there?

Gosh, I'm staring to feel a wood car broker....

TJ



tjgaffney@phmuseum.org

> Gosh, I'm staring to feel a wood car
> broker....

> TJ

That's OK TJ, keep up the good work!!!



lamontdc@adelphia.net

Instead of painting this unit into
> IC colors, why not see if they can get the
> ORIGINAL IC unit that is languishing in Ohio
> looking for a buyer. Perhaps a trade can be
> worked out.

IF I am approached by the right parties, I can put in an inquiry to the owner(s) of the IC E8(s) in Ohio. It's highly likely that he may accept such a trade, although be forewarned that I don't think he's in a position to pay any difference in "value" between a ready-to-run nicely-lept ex-PRR one and a not-quite-so-ready-to-run real-McCoy IC unit.


LNER4472-NOSPAM-@bcpl.net

Greetings all,

It is important to remember that while these were basically identical units when rebuilt, they have had very different service histories. The two former IC units were extensively rebuilt by the IC Paducah shops for New Jersey Transit. According to the website advertising the lease/sale of these units:

"The locomotives were remanufactured in 1978 by the Paducah Locomotive Shops of the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad for the New Jersey Department of Transportation. These locomotives were operated for only three and a half to four years and were prematurely retired because NJ Transit received an UMTA grant to buy F4O's and retrofit their steam generator equipped GP4O's with Head End Power.

Items rebuilt include the following:

Engines
Generators (both main and auxiliary)
Traction motors
Trucks
New wheels
Braking systems
New Northeast Corridor Cab Signaling
Air compressors
Radiators
Electrical control systems (Relays)

The units were completely rewired with new Hypalon wiring. Straight welded sheet steel replaced carbody panels to eliminate maintenance. Because these units have two engines each, they are very reliable. Should one engine fail, the other is sufficient to bring the consist in to the terminal."

The nee-PRR 5764, howvever remains much closer to its as-built configuration (Does it still retain its steam generator?) and would not be as desirable for a for-profit sale as the IC units. However, given the "Bear" market for E-units since the sale of the Amtrak F40's, anything is possible.

The nee-PRR unit that is now at Monticello was

> Instead of painting this unit into

> IF I am approached by the right parties, I
> can put in an inquiry to the owner(s) of the
> IC E8(s) in Ohio. It's highly likely that he
> may accept such a trade, although be
> forewarned that I don't think he's in a
> position to pay any difference in
> "value" between a ready-to-run
> nicely-lept ex-PRR one and a
> not-quite-so-ready-to-run real-McCoy IC
> unit.


rrhistorian@hotmail.com

Just my opinion, but it seems there is an Alco PA being restored as "NKP 190" which would be a very nice addition at Monticello. They already have an FPA and an RS3, so a PA would only leave them an "S" short of a complete set of first-generation Alco types. Similarly on the EMD side, with the addition of PRR 5764, they now have a passenger cab, a freight cab, a switcher, and a (rebuilt) GP from the "567" era.

pnichol6@prodigy.net

Monticello had been looking for an "IC" E-unit for quite some time. Since all the units owned by IC circa 1971 were either scrapped or extensively rebuilt by Paducah Shops (as Tom has observed), and the surviving members of the latter group were no longer operational, the search was (reluctantly) broadened to include contemporary units originally built for other roads, as well as the latter-day CN/IC (ex-BN) units currently used on their office car train. After due consideration of the condition, availability and price of the various options, it was determined that the Tennessee Central unit offered the best chance to obtain a vintage unit in good working order at a reasonable price.

pnichol6@prodigy.net

>Peter hit the nail on the head about MRM trying to obtain an original, surviving IC eunit. These units were investigated, but nothing ever came to pass allowing MRM to obtain the units. I was personally involved with the search to alternative units. A close friend gave me a chance lead on the former PRR-unit, and MRM acted fast to "nail down" the deal. Many people spent countless hours researching possible available e-units ...calling, inspecting various units, etc. The unit just acquired at MRM was by far "the most bang for the buck" and will be faithfully restored to match IC's classic scheme.

Monticello had been looking for an
> "IC" E-unit for quite some time.
> Since all the units owned by IC circa 1971
> were either scrapped or extensively rebuilt
> by Paducah Shops (as Tom has observed), and
> the surviving members of the latter group
> were no longer operational, the search was
> (reluctantly) broadened to include
> contemporary units originally built for
> other roads, as well as the latter-day CN/IC
> (ex-BN) units currently used on their office
> car train. After due consideration of the
> condition, availability and price of the
> various options, it was determined that the
> Tennessee Central unit offered the best
> chance to obtain a vintage unit in good
> working order at a reasonable price.


biscan_icrr51@msn.com

This 1910 ACF coach is listed as preserved at the Lorain and West Virginia Railway. Is this a recent development, or is it not really so?

Nickel Plate Links

> This 1910 ACF coach is listed as preserved
> at the Lorain and West Virginia Railway. Is
> this a recent development, or is it not
> really so?

In a word "NOT". NKP54 has been languishing, unloved and unprotected down in the yard since its transfer to Wellington, OH. Just one of those many things that there is never money for.


lamontdc@adelphia.net

Below is a photo of NKP #54's current condition.
It's a shame that no museum has taken up the offer to acquire this car. It's the last remaining example of a wood NKP coach, and needs to be saved. I personally think it would be a great addition to Mid-Continent's preserved wood car fleet, but they haven't shown any interest, unfortunately.

Boyd


bowens@rypn.org

BTW - In case anyone missed the offer, NKP 54 is available for FREE to any museum wishing to acquire and restore it. I have been told that cranes and loading assistance are available at it's present location, so the only cost involved would be the actual transportation of the car (and any un-loading expense if the acquiring museum doesn't have it's own cranes).
I understand this is a very well riding car, so it would be a good candidate for restoration to operation for a museum operating wood car consists.

Boyd


bowens@rypn.org

Ah yes, but would it still be FREE if one, say, wanted it for his backyard...... (free being free car and a $30,000 move to Michigan...)

;-)

TJ



tjgaffney@phmuseum.org