As posted earlier, the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum has been donated a GP9 former SP locomotive. In looking for ways to truck the locomotive, we had a firm called "East Tex Shipping" respond to our request. Please do yourself a favor and search the internet about this firm before moving forward. We simply wasted a few days and zero money - others haven't been so lucky, they report.

That being said, any suggestions or contacts for reasonable firms able to trucking the locomotive - either on it's own wheels or with the trucks removed - would be appreciated.

You may want to contact the Black Hill Central RR. Several years ago they moved a GP9 by road from Rapid City to Keystone.

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I am always happy to give a recommendation for Silk Road Transport, based in Arkport, NY. Depnding on your timing, Art Booth can often work in a move as part of a back haul to save a few dollars.

Wesley

http://silkroadtrans.com/

Second the recommendation for Silk Road. I think that they have a California base of operations as well as their main operation in New York.

I can indirectly third Silk Road. They're very gracious, understand the problems non-profits have with regards to timing and scheduling (and paying), and seemingly go to heroic efforts to make a moving deal happen to everyone's satisfaction.

Consider the old adage "You can have good, fast, or cheap. Please select a maximum of two." Many of these movers have clients that have to do things on exact dates, or in precise manners (think a Thomas engine going between gigs, or getting it out in a one-week time frame). These guys help pay for your moves, because the "cheap" moves happen during the back-hauls or during "light" moves to bigger jobs.

Oh heavens, yes, Silk Road is WRM's preferred supplier. But we move STREETCARS.

Locomotives are a very different deal. You're looking at bumping hard against weight and bridge limits. You've got to put a lot of axles and tire widths on the pavement. Even Michigan weight limits are challenged by a relatively lightweight road switcher like an RS-2.

We rather need a Silk Road for locomotives. A guy who can move locomotives is worth his weight in gold. See our earlier discussion about preservation alliances developing capabilities.

Taylor Crane and Rigging (Jim Taylor or Dave Beeson, 620-251-1530) moved ATSF 940 (BLW 1903) and a Santa Fe caboose for us. They did an outstanding job both times, and the prices were reasonable. Their locations are Coffeyville, KS and Tulsa, OK neither of which is close, but closer than East Tex.
Tom Birkett
Bartlesville, OK

Jim,

Have you considered moving the locomotive on its own wheels over the RR?

The money you spend to truck something as heavy as a GP9, probably tens of thousands, it might be better invested into the loco instead of the trucking company.

Could that money be put into making the loco interchangeable?

It was cheaper to put roller bearing trucks under LV 112 and make it interchangeable then to truck it, send it on a flatcar, or even put RB idlers underneath. I now have a locomotive with RB trucks for less money than trucking it.

Scott

I'd bet it already has roller bearing trucks which probably leaves wheel condition, brakes, and alignment control couplers. I don't know if traction motors, armature & support bearings and gear cases are a cause of concern. Without knowing the particulars, as a general observation it seems like a dead GP9 wouldn't strike fear into railroaders as would a mysterious thing like a steam locomotive.

Then again, there is a reason trucking is being asked about.

Steve

Unfortunately, tunnel 3 in Mexico burnt 2+ years ago, and, no one in Mexico is daylighting that tunnel as yet. We are currently land locked.

So how many miles from a easy to load location to easy to unload location?

-Hudson

Where it stands and where it will be unloaded are both easy.

The San Diego & Arizona Eastern is a through line, what is blocking it in the other direction?

Trestles which need repair.