The AEM7 is on track to find a home in preservation; the right folks are working on that. I am not too worried about that. The HHP-8 is the one that will likely be lost to time.

The issue is not whether a certain accounting status has been applied to the ownership of said loco(s), but rather whether a proper administrative executor or heir has been assigned to assure the loco's survival--along with perhaps an endowment or other funds to help assure the survival of said heir.

Enthusiasm for Baldwins, Alcos, steam, Whitcombs, U-Boats, or F40PHs means nothing if it is not paired with a business plan or will that assigns certain preservation bodies to eventually take possession. The Louisiana Eastern was theoretically a "rolling museum"--until all of a sudden it was a collection of rolling scrap metal.

I will fully acknowledge that such an attitude reeks of cynicism and skepticism, but unfortunately until such efforts are publicly disclosed and outside input/assistance welcomed, serious preservationists are forced to adopt said attitude. Otherwise, we're going to dart from crisis to crisis having to fundraise in a panic because the owners of things like a Reading T1 and GM&N Pacific, a pair of Baldwin Sharks, a set of Alco or EMD cab passenger units, various business cars, etc. suddenly died without the will everyone expected/assumed/rumored........

If I were the owner of--to make up an example--a set of Southern Pacific passenger diesels, and I were using them in commercial service, I think what I would do is publicly say something to the effect of "I am willing to leave these diesels to the SP Technical & Historical Society, provided they undertake to raise funds to give these a proper home until they get them. Give them money so they have a place for them and funds to keep them operating."

I covet a GP-38. Unfortunately, too many others also do.

I have about 130 surviving Penn Central GP38's listed here:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/Scotty ... /index.htm

The list is now 8 years old..some have certainty been rebuilt, and some are likely no longer operating now..but its still an impressive number.

PC bought 240 GP38's in 1969 to 1971. the largest single buyer, by far.
Over 50% still survive 40 years later.

Scpt

To be fair, just because a locomotive or other artifact is "preserved" at a museum does not mean it is "preserved" either. I can think of at least one museum in the last two years that scrapped historic GE, Alco and FM locomotives in order to make a mortgage payment to the bank. These three locomotives were donated to the museum, allegedly "safe" and "preserved" from scrapping. I am sure there are countless other examples.

Serious preservationists know that in reality, equipment is not "safe" even if it is at a museum or associated preservation endeavor.

Anyone wanting to save a GP38 that is in good condition can plan on them being quite pricey right now, that situation is not likely to change any time soon. They enjoy a special status, being built prior to many of the emissions requirements, and yet still being easily maintainable with parts that are readily available.

PC

If I were starting a shortline, I know that I would probably be looking to roster it with normally-asperated, second-generation 645 EMD's, like GP38's. Can't beat the reliability and serviceability of them. On CSX they are great yard and district switcher power (and really fun to kick cars with). I think most museums are going to have to wait to acquire them until it becomes harder to get parts for them, like the early GP's have become.

Exactly right. The shortline based in my town has 3 GP-38s. An ex C&O, B&O and PC unit. They just spent big bucks having two of them repainted and one just had a complete low voltage rewire job (FYI the electrician said there was about 16 miles of wire in a 38! Just in case anybody was interested). The same company is looking at trading up their GP-9 for a GP-38. The crew love them, the mechanics love them and the GM seems to love them because he keeps buying them.

These things are like the Ford hundred series farm tractors. They serve their purpose well, are easy and inexpensive to repair, and still have a good parts support.