Repost: SW1 and/or GE 70-tonner Parts Available?

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Mon Mar 01, 2010 12:38 am

From the LV SW1 thread and Brother Laepple:

Quote:

For anyone who might have interest in keeping an SW-1 running, I have received information that Johnson Rail Services will soon begin scrapping several SW-1's in Laurinburg, N.C. Also to be torched are several 70-ton GE units. I don't have contact info, but a call to the Laurinburg & Southern offices ought to yield a phone number.

My 2004 Pocket List of Rail Officials says:

Johnson Railway Service, Inc., Cornelia, GA
706-778-2674

John Bohon · **Joined:** Sun Aug 29, 2004 1:04 pm **Posts:** 625

The locomotives are owned by Johnson Locomotive and if anyone is interested you had better hurry. The guys with the torches are due to arrive Tuesday March 2nd. For anyone interested I am told the SW-1's have BC engines.

John Bohon

John Bohon · **Joined:** Sun Aug 29, 2004 1:04 pm **Posts:** 625

I recieved another phone call saying at least some of the 70 tonners have new crankshafts and linners. One of the 70 tonners probably still runs. Again, if you are interested you had better hurry.

John Bohon

eze240 · **Joined:** Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:29 am **Posts:** 319

so, how many 70 tonners are there and do they have the cooper bessemer 6cyl engine?

John Bohon · **Joined:** Sun Aug 29, 2004 1:04 pm **Posts:** 625

I do not know how many of the units are there. It has been a long time since I drove by these units. From what I understand some have already been scrapped though I do not know when. Yes, the 70 tonners should be more or less original with their 6 cylinder engines.

John Bohon

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:31 am

The one roster site I've found for the L&S is apparently malware-loaded and my browsers won't let me through. However, the RR had them numbered from 101 to as high as 110, and apparently bought them from other railroads down in North Carolina where 70-tonners proved popular, so we could be talking as few as three and as many as a dozen, depending on how many they stashed for parts......

See:
http://www.locophotos.com/~locophot/Pho ... otoID=8629
http://www.norfolksouthernhs.org/images/NS701-70Ton.jpg

for storage line photos.

If anyone cares, the 110 is former Norfolk Southern (original RR) 701.

The L&S had, at one point, a loco leasing business, and aside from the 70-tonners, rostered three dozen additional smaller units at one point--SW1's, NW2's, Alco S-models, and others.

John Bohon · **Joined:** Sun Aug 29, 2004 1:04 pm **Posts:** 625

I got more information today to try and answer a few of the questions. There are probably 2 SW-1's and 4 or 5 GE's. One of the GE's has a Cummins engine the rest are original. All have had the windows broken out by kids. At least one 70 tonner is esentially complete. There are also a number of GE parts available including at least 1 new crankshaft. The owner said he would sell any or all for scrap price. My information comes from a former mechanical guy who worked on these locomotives. I hope this helps anyone who may be interested.

John Bohon

dinwitty · **Joined:** Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:18 pm **Posts:** 2226

so none scrapped yet?

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:39 am

Six or seven locomotives, not that big.........

It truly depends how much equipment they bring. Two "jaw"-equipped backhoes and indiscriminate bashing could reduce them at a locomotive or two a day. One guy with a torch and a couple tanks of acetylene? He'll be there a while.

John Bohon · **Joined:** Sun Aug 29, 2004 1:04 pm **Posts:** 625

I have no clue what is happening on site. I have not seen these locomotives in at least 2 years.

John Bohon