What caught my eye on this three-unit set of GP35s is that all are ex-GM&O, as IC did not buy the model itself, and ride on trade-in Alco FA/FB trucks, but the first unit lacks dynamic brakes, which the entire GM&O class had when built.
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Obviously, it is an optical illusion or maybe a color shift in the transparency. ICG never had any locomotives, not even locomotives from predecessor railroads (B&HS, C&IW, FC&G, GMO, et al.), that rode on "orange" trucks.
I think it is simply typical, 1980s (lack of maintenance/paint) rust and dirt which appears orange.
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ICG had an active program of removing and/or deactivating dynamic brakes. Even when ICG went back to the IC name in February 29, 1988, the dynamic brake deactivation program was carried over briefly. When IC acquired the former Burlington Northern EMD SD40-2 locomotives, many were spotted with the characteristic dynamic brake blister/housing plated over. The locomotives that retained the dynamic brake blister simply had the system deactivated.
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well...that shot is not in Michigan, USA...that is a empty Plaines coal train returning to the Burlington Northern at Lumber St. (18th St.) in Chicago...May want to change that...cool pic
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Great shot, love pictures of the ICG, but are you sure this is in Michigan and not the 18'th street bridge in Chicago?
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I was absolutely positive that somebody here would be able to give me a "real" clue the the location of the shot. Thanks for all of the great information, especially the illusion of the Orange-ish Flexcoils. This shot is scanned from an 8"X10" and all I did was darken it a bit from the scan and a small nudge on the sharpness. I will make a change to the location soon, thanks!!!!
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Former GM&O GP30/35 locomotives rode on AAR Type B trucks.
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From first hand accounts I can say this is the IC and maintenence was never a priority on any diesel and this is also the same outfit that came to the conclusion that sand wasn't needed on road trains. Their infinite wisdom has lead to many a dead diesel, dozens of which I've mu'd to the rear of a consist to be moved to the scrapper or sold to some unsuspecting short line.
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The former GM&O 609, lacking the dynamic brake, must have been lost at some point after 1972. It has acquired the bulge under the headlight too, which wasn't standard when it was built and which GM&O GP35s of that order did not have.
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