Just wondering if we have any photos good or cringe worthy of the fate of the Navy Baldwin painted for the NKP in Noblesville?

Loco in question,

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/Locopicture.aspx?id=117669

Robert

I have not been able to find out anything about the remaining equipment at Noblesville despite much trying. There is a board devoted to Indiana railroads that is quite active but it is more of a picture-taking railfan board than it is about preservation. The problem was that all of the equipment was worth more in pieces than as whole units, if you look at the prices from the unsold remaining units on Ozark

Milwaukee Road B Unit #68B- $17,500.00
Milwaukee Road F7A Locomotive #72- $27,500.00
Milwaukee Road FP7A #96C- $37,500.00
Nickel Plate Road Baldwin Switcher #99- $11,000.00
Union Pacific GP9 Locomotive #200- $55,000.00

that is roughly what the engines, generators and traction motors are worth, with the leftover scrap metal going out in open-top semi trailers. Ex-UP #200 was operational and therefore commanded more. No one wanted to pay to move anything as entire units apparently.

Sad.

The USAF S12 #1804 was scrapped after no one wanted it either. The price also had been $11,000.

I'm surprised the F units haven't commanded more attention? They had been all the rage at one time. Guess their time has come as well.

The UP #200 is a sad case. It's complete and was operational not that long ago. Seems some UP oriented outfit would be interested in it? Guess the $$$ involved makes it prohibitive.

Robert

It was the cost to move it that was the big problem, Noblesville is isolated from the national rail system and therefore cranes and trucks would be involved, much more than the $11k price of the Baldwin I would guess.

A huge problem with moving older locomotives is the lack of alignment control couplers. I don't think any class one will move equipment without them. People used to weld ears onto the openings of the draft gear on the pilot plate this worked but it is also a no go on the main line. I inspected two GP-9s in Helper Utah around 2005 for service at our switching operations in Green River WY, they didn't have alignment control. Ended having to go inspect the results of a derailment in UP's Provo yard. They had picked them up and during switching moves they were hooked to some long center beam flats and in a curve the couplers went over center and derailed the whole damn mess!! The locos weren't badly damaged but UP said no to moving them again! I believe they paid for the engines and we never saw them again. Shortly after no more non alignment moves on the UP... Another big problem is in date/functional brake equipment. The components cannot be more than three years out of rebuild at an AAR certified shop. Yes the newer loco brake systems have a longer overhaul period. All safety appliances handbrake, grab irons, steps etc, must be in interchangeable condition. Lastly and maybe most important is the running gear. The wheels, motors, trucks and brake rigging must be in good shape or I wouldn't even consider moving it on the mainline. Fixing these kinds of issues gets spendy quick. Sometimes a flat car move may be the best option but ain't cheap!

The Baldwin VO 1000 is still in decent shape looks wise, and is to be kept by the new group as a static display. In fact, it is currently displayed with a short consist at the front of the old museum grounds. The city of Noblesville plans to throw 1.5 mill into upgrades at the former ITM sight.

Good to know the Baldwin is safe for now.

Any ideas on the fate of the F units or the UP GP?

Robert

All the Fs are still here, as to their fate, I can't say, but they seem interested in saving pieces of the former collection that are in decent shape for display, however, the ex milw B unit may not be so lucky as well as some of the " to far gone" rolling stock. That ex UP GP 9 has a brand new main generator, good wheels, and is a good runner, was regular power on the former Fairtrain and would be a great little motor for someone. F7 83 to be used by new group, as well as Geep 426.

How bad a condition is the B unit really in? I'd suppose it's probably rotted out through and through by now.

Robert

The B unit, while a complete unit, (it even has it's hostler stand), has heavy rust on most of the carbody, is quite trashed on the inside, but again complete. ITM at one time had big plans for a A-B-A set. It's biggest problem, it is a major eyesore in it's current form, something the city wants to rid itself of and falls into the "to far gone" category as far as the city is concerned. With no buyers, i just don't see it being kept around, and likely will leave in the back of a scrap truck destined to become bar stools.....

I found this old blog by the group of mainly teenagers who returned 72/83C to running condition, I had no idea it was so far along and so extensive of a mechanical rebuild, it was to have been the next to get a sheet metal restoration and paint before ITM succumbed:
http://locomotive72restoration.blogspot.com/

Yes, those kids did a fabulous job, and there has been some discussion about doing something similar with the bodywork side of things.

AlcoGuy, do you know if PRR 8007, the “Philadelphia County.” a 13-bedroom sleeper that was at ITM, still survives?

I have no information on that one.

AlcoGuy,

What are the plans for the Milwaukee Road FP7A #96C?

Did the GN heater car/F3B unit ever find a new home?

Robert