Greenbrier Express: NO STEAM (at least for start-up)

derail · **Joined:** Wed Jul 28, 2010 12:45 pm **Posts:** 142

daylight4449 wrote:

wilkinsd wrote:

daylight4449 wrote:

So, has the two other steamers been identified yet? I wonder if the 4460 and the LNER A4 at NRM are available.

Neither are available. NRM management, inspired and impressed at your previous post of breaking the record held by Mallard has begun an intensive overhaul of the Dwight D. Eisenhower to break the record on the NEC, hauling the two ex LNER sleepers that were displayed with it in Green Bay. The test runs will begin in March, with the record breaking run set for April 1, 2012.

At the same time, the 4460 has been selected as the new locomotive to haul the "Yellow Ribbon Express."

/RunsForCover /Sarcasm

WOW! That's awesome ;)
Figured I'd add my opinion, considering that the engines are sitting doing nothing.

* face palm*

bigjim4life · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 11:22 pm

daylight4449,

I'm wondering if you've read through this whole thread at all.....

eehiv · **Joined:** Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:54 pm **Posts:** 1336

A version of the Greenbrier Express ran last weekend when New York Central No. 3 was chartered by a group from NYC to the Greenbrier at White Sulphur Springs and back behind Amtrak's Cardinal.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=187177

The route is spectacular with many tunnels as you approach the Greenbrier. I am sure Mr. Rowland and Mr. Justice will have great success in this new venture.

EH

daylight4449 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 10:57 am

eehiv wrote:

A version of the Greenbrier Express ran last weekend when New York Central No. 3 was chartered by a group from NYC to the Greenbrier at White Sulphur Springs and back behind Amtrak's Cardinal.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=187177

The route is spectacular with many tunnels as you approach the Greenbrier. I am sure Mr. Rowland and Mr. Justice will have great success in this new venture.

EH

So what kind of facilities are going to be needed at the Greenbrier anyway? I'm guessing some sort of fueling facility for the diesels.

Ed Kapuscinski · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 5:25 pm

You know, one thing that never seems to get mentioned in the context of this is that it's definitely keeping a few aging locomotives in working condition that otherwise would probably be getting cut up: The GEs.

It might not seem like it, but these are rare birds, and if left to the regular railroad equipment entropy, would be gone if not for the Greenbrier Express.

daylight4449 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:40 pm

Ed Kapuscinski wrote:

You know, one thing that never seems to get mentioned in the context of this is that it's definitely keeping a few aging locomotives in working condition that otherwise would probably be getting cut up: The GEs.

It might not seem like it, but these are rare birds, and if left to the regular railroad equipment entropy, would be gone if not for the Greenbrier Express.

True. Although the new CSX SD40-3s are starting to look like those GEs

CPR4000 · **Joined:** Thu Jun 11, 2009 11:07 pm **Posts:** 150

Ed Kapuscinski wrote:

You know, one thing that never seems to get mentioned in the context of this is that it's definitely keeping a few aging locomotives in working condition that otherwise would probably be getting cut up: The GEs.

It might not seem like it, but these are rare birds, and if left to the regular railroad equipment entropy, would be gone if not for the Greenbrier Express.

Yes, who woulda thunk that Ross Rowland, of all people, might really be a diesel preservationist at heart? ;-) He couldn't have picked a more distinctive "modern" locomotive than the C39-8.

Walt L.

daylight4449 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 15, 2011 7:21 am

CPR4000 wrote:

Ed Kapuscinski wrote:

You know, one thing that never seems to get mentioned in the context of this is that it's definitely keeping a few aging locomotives in working condition that otherwise would probably be getting cut up: The GEs.

It might not seem like it, but these are rare birds, and if left to the regular railroad equipment entropy, would be gone if not for the Greenbrier Express.

Yes, who woulda thunk that Ross Rowland, of all people, might really be a diesel preservationist at heart? ;-) He couldn't have picked a more distinctive "modern" locomotive than the C39-8.

Walt L.

Hey, lets give Ross a bit of slack. You're forgetting that he's a steam guy, and this is his second operation with diesels, but the first really big one. Besides, after seeing those SD40-3s that CSX is putting out (one was in the middle of two GEs in Worcester tuesday), might as well save the ones that (visually) is the basis for the new SD40-3 rebuilds. Anyway, kudos Ross for saving those GEs. Maybe they should be sent north to a museum once steam comes into play (RMNE anyone?)

Ed Kapuscinski · **Posted:** Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:52 am

There's nothing "modern" about a C39-8. They're 25 years old.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_C39-8

How old were Trainmasters when they were being retired? E7s?

Just some food for thought.

chevy2003 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:07 pm **Posts:** 27

Lake Shore Railway Museum in North East, PA, would be willing to discuss storing the GE locomotives when/if Ross decides he isn't going to use them. GE locos/products are our mission. Good luck Ross!

rayg

daylight4449 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:11 pm

chevy2003 wrote:

Lake Shore Railway Museum in North East, PA, would be willing to discuss storing the GE locomotives when/if Ross decides he isn't going to use them. GE locos/products are our mission. Good luck Ross!

rayg

Well, at least the option is there.

CPR4000 · **Joined:** Thu Jun 11, 2009 11:07 pm **Posts:** 150

Ed Kapuscinski wrote:

There's nothing "modern" about a C39-8. They're 25 years old.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_C39-8

That's why I put "modern" in quotes. I remember them when they were new, by cracky!

And really, with all the 645-powered EMD's available (ex-UP tunnel motors, for example), it's quite amazing that GEX picked these, although I'm sure they cost much less than EMD's would have. Since they'll only make one round trip a week, there will be plenty of time to baby them mechanically.

Walt L.
Rocking Chair, PA

Termite7 · **Joined:** Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:29 pm **Posts:** 397

Everybody talks like just because Ross bought those GEs...that he will be able to use them. Somebody (Amtrak or CSX) is going to have to sign off on those locos and certify them for mainline passenger service. In reality they were "surplus" to NS...and they had downgraded them in the last years of their service. They have now been sitting and decaying for a long time. They were never that reliable when new. Somebody I know with NS told me they were "pure junk...that's why we got rid of them".

So they may end up on a weed-covered siding...or they may strand a lot of passengers out in the middle of nowhere. I think it will be more likely that the steam engines will turn revenue miles then the C39-8s.

T7

daylight4449 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 16, 2011 10:51 pm

Termite7 wrote:

Everybody talks like just because Ross bought those GEs...that he will be able to use them. Somebody (Amtrak or CSX) is going to have to sign off on those locos and certify them for mainline passenger service. In reality they were "surplus" to NS...and they had downgraded them in the last years of their service. They have now been sitting and decaying for a long time. They were never that reliable when new. Somebody I know with NS told me they were "pure junk...that's why we got rid of them".

So they may end up on a weed-covered siding...or they may strand a lot of passengers out in the middle of nowhere. I think it will be more likely that the steam engines will turn revenue miles then the C39-8s.

T7

Maybe GEX should look into borrowing a pair of locomotives from a museum to keep service running until the steamers are operational.

uboat2525 · **Joined:** Wed Feb 11, 2009 8:24 am **Posts:** 57

in this last page did I did not see one post about these ge's state the clear and obvious "<---that may be a typo",

Ross did not purchase those GE's for preservation he purchased them to make the greenbrier money and in hopes of showing a viable oppertunity, the c-36's that are 25 years or more old have issues mostly electrical related and support from GE is dwindling at a rapid pace, Ross has stated to the effect he has it under control, but i have it from a good source that there are underlying reasons for those departures from NS, and other class I's to the effect that GE doesn't want to know a thing about them

the underlying theme here is built in obsolescence

the choice should have been made for sd-40's but would have added 30-50 thousand dollars per unit to his budget perhaps more , however the benifit to that is there is plenty of parts and support