Built in 1949 for the Great Northern, then working on the SP&S & BN before conversion to a LIRR power car, the gel train duty for SEPTA, this FA-1 was getting dropped off at CSX Woodbourne Yard today, destination unknown. Any help would be appreciated!

http://trainspot.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5048222

http://trainspot.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5048224

The reporting mark stenciled on the cab, "VGNX," is found on one list as the Eastern Virginia Railroad Historical Society. They have no online presence that I can find, and the only topic I can find on any other forum is asking who they are, to which no solid answer was furnished.

The reporting marks were from a while ago, not sure if its still going there, or to a different place.

We (F&N) were involved with the attempt to save the 615 and the now lost 622 F unit. The Eastern Virginia Railroad Historical Society were going to own the locos, but we were going to lease, and intially restore them to cab/HEP power car status to use with our passenger fleet, with an eye on eventually restoring them to full operational status.

All that fell through at the last hour because the state demanded the 10k each engine they had granted SEPTA years ago. We were all strapped for the cash on top of the original purchase price, so instead they sold them to the scrappers for next to nothing. Apparently the state didn't care about that. The scrapper then wanted crazy money for them.

The F unit 622 got cut fast, but someone stepped in and saved 615, and I am glad they did.

EDIT- found out it is going to the Greenbriar and Durbin. We got in touch with the owners and said we could say it and everything has been worked out.

Thanks

Never heard of a Gel train before

SEPTA had tanks of rail adhesion gel inside the car body. As the FA was pushed along, the gel was sprayed or spread on the rail heads. I have no idea of why it's supposed to be so corrosive.

Really glad to hear this, here is an earlier thread started by Richard:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=40658&p=261426&hilit=615&sid=9f0030127e8662fd4b5d38c9ea7de620#p261426

When I didn't hear anything about it since last winter I feared the worst because it was reported to be in a "move it or it will be cut" situation and we never found out who had bought it. I was going to say that if a group was trying to restore it to operation I know of at least three derelict RS-3s in the east that could supply the engine, generator, electrical cabinet, radiators, traction motors etc., but I doubt D&GV would go that route.

I know the proud owner of that Septa engine. He's glad that it's coming home now.

"Coming home" implies it's going to the Pacific Northwest...........

Care to get more specific?

That would work for me since I am in the PNW (about half a mile from a former SP&S line), but I think airforcerail said it is going to what he called the Greenbriar and Durbin (I am guessing he meant the D&GV). By "coming home" he may mean that it was an exhausting move to get it in his possession out of that dirt yard, which I don't doubt because it was on the ground and we all know the difficulties in arranging transport for preserved equipment on the general system.

If you're going to be both snippy and pedantic, 'more specific' would be Schenectady. Wouldn't it now?

The journey has begun! CSX picked up the unit last night from Woodbourne (PA) yard!

Any update on 615's current whereabouts?

It passed thru Langhorne, PA this morning heading south after a brief visit to Selkirk, NY!
http://trainspot.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5061826

Wait - why in the world did it go up to Selkirk, and then back down again through Langhorne/Woodbourne???