Remember there are different grades of scrap. The more prepared it is, the more its worth. An intact engine may only be worth X amount, but if it was sorted by metal, and in proper sized chunks, the prices go way up..

Scrap metal is often quoted per Long Ton of 2,240 pounds. The 80-ton locomotive was quoted per Short Ton of 2,000 pounds, possibly because that's what General Electric used to name it.

Locomotives contain a LOT of COPPER! If I had the time to cut her apart, harvest the copper and sell off the parts that have resale value, I would make a lot more than 25K. But I want it to go somewhere where it will be preserved and used. She is in great shape, somewhat historic, and worthy of keeping around. But we do have bills to pay, this locomotive does not fit into our mission, so she must go. One way or another.

If you are thinking that this GE 80 ton locomotive with the Cummins LI-600 engines is worth around $25,000, then you better go for it.

I recently offered $17,500 for an EMD SW8 locomotive. It was on friction bearings, had no alignment control couplers, no FRA Glazing, no "Blue Card" and had a 567 "B" engine that was leaking. The body was great, but it needed a lot of work, not only to move, but to be returned to service.

The owner called me and ask me to offer more, I would not, considering it's condition and my cost just to move it. I found out that the locomotive was just sold and is going to be scrapped. The price it sold for was $20,000 to a scrapper.

The scrap market varies greatly from city to city. If you have a steel mill in your back yard that will purchase railroad scrap and you can sell direct to the mill, then you can get some very good money. The scrap market just took a $60.00 a ton hit here and the out look does not look good for a quick rebound. The government has just reported that industrial production is at it lowest since the recent recession began 3 years ago. Right know, unless I could purchase a locomotive very cheap, I would have no interest in purchasing one to part out or to scrap.

As for making a lot of money purchasing old out dated parts and thinking you are going to make a lot of money selling them, GOOD LUCK!

I have been selling locomotive parts for near 30 years and people are only purchasing what they really need, then they want to beat you into the groung for a cheaper price.

There are some people out there that have an interest in the Cummins L engines, but many, if not most are railroad museums that want you to give the parts to them. So, if you think you can make big money scrapping a GE 80 ton, go for it.

The scrap market up here in Youngstown is about $50 a ton higher that in Pittsburgh, which I thought was odd. I'm actually holding on to all of my scrap waiting until prices improve. They will, and when that happens the stockpiles will diminish and I'll have some funding for new projects. So that is why I stated earlier that there is plenty of time for an interested person or group to think about 'adopting" this locomotive.

The scrap value going down is good, stuff should stick around for a bit longer. Doesn't LTEX still have some ex-CR C36-7s? I think they are still there but I fear they might have been cut up with the Detroit Edison U30C.

I might get a chance to take a look tomorrow. I have a friend in from out of town and we may swing by LTEX to see whats new.