An obvious candidate-and a quandry

David Farlow · **Posted:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 10:53 pm

I'm so sorry I didn't head out trackside to count how many cars were with the NKP engine. So, back to my question to people who seem to have answers to all... what did it cost?

David Farlow

Jack A. Siffert · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:11 pm **Posts:** 373

Something no one else has mentioned yet. BNSF and as of 2 months ago will not move a locomotive without alignment control couplers unless in a special train. No blocks or anything like that basically Geep pockets with wing couplers. More cost to moving on it's own wheels.

mxdata · **Joined:** Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:54 am **Posts:** 609

Adding to the information Jack supplied, Union Pacific has the same coupler requirements now.

MX

Jack A. Siffert · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:11 pm **Posts:** 373

I meant to say as of 2 months ago UP has the same coupler requirments. We Think CSX and NS willl soon follow.

Christian S. · **Joined:** Wed Feb 02, 2005 2:13 pm **Posts:** 243

[redacted]

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sat Nov 10, 2007 9:42 pm

We repeat: The Sierra is a for-profit business.

They apparently still haul quite a bit of freight, and to that end they appear (from the several online rosters I see) to have a whole bunch of EMDs on hand--a GP7, GP9's, GP20's, and possibly still two CF7's. (Not saying anything about those five cabless ex-BN B30-7's they supposedly leased for a while....)

It's entirely possible that if one more thing "breaks" on 42, there aren't enough parts left on the other two to fix it. And as old as the EMD locos may be, they may just be a bit more trustworthy.

(BTW, 2003 photos on one roster indicate heavy graffiti on 40 and 44.)