Now IRM Grabs an EMD SD70MAC!

MCH765 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2025 12:45 pm

patentable wrote:

Acquiring modern equipment will be both a blessing and a curse for IRM. I'm afraid that many of the more modern additions, both diesel and electric will become static displays because of the intricate computer software and hardware that will be hard (and perhaps very expensive) to repair/replace. This goes for 9400 as well as any new rapid transit cars. Gone are the days perhaps of using hand tools to repair equipment. Let's hope IRM gets additional modern equipment, but also acquires spare circuitry to make the things work.
Bob M

I can assure you that there are plenty of those among Millennials and Gen Z (and younger!) who are absolute computer geniuses that would not waste a second taping into older computer software. Case in point: NJ Transit ALP-44 #4424 at the URHS in north Jersey. A group of 20-somethings already got some of its older software going by way of reverse engineering.

I have faith.

Randy Hees · **Posted:** Sun Aug 17, 2025 5:43 pm

Several of the street railway preservation groups have acquired "modern" (built since 1975) light rail vehicles. Those are electronic (sometimes said to be nightmares) with interlocks on interlocks. They can be a challenge (as they could be in service) In at least one case (Bay Area Electric Railway Museum at Rio Vista, California) also has acquired the diagnostic equipment.

The Boeing LRVs signaled the beginning of the Light Rail revival... In 1970 there were maybe 8 street railway operations in the US, plus Toronto... plus a couple of freight switching lines and the South Shore. Today California has 5 cities with street railways. Arizona has two, there are lines in Utah, Oregon, Washington (both state and DC) Oklahoma, Texas has at least three, New Orleans has its legacy system, with lines added. Arkansas, Tampa, Memphis (troubled) Charlotte, and many more...

Diesels deserve the same kind of technology preservation.