From what iv'e seen going on at NS so far, I doubt the other two Conrails will make it much longer. Maybe a few months.
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Its a shame to see another Conrail Locomotive to meet its end, only a few of the true Conrail Heritage Unit Remain. Words can hardly describe how much it hurts me to look at this photo, I know railroads are a business and they do what they feel is right to make the railroad run well, but you cant forget about your heritage, there's just something about a GEVO in the Conrail Paint Scheme that just doesn't look right, the old saying "if it aint broke don't fix it" is appropriate here. The locomotives in Conrail Paint were still earning their keep, so why even rebuild them, if they are running fine. I say NS Should have just left these locos alone to begin with, but railroad history is being lost everyday, and this is the latest in a long line of "casualties" if you will. Even that little blue sign agrees with me.
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To be fair, Just because a unit is running when you saw it does not mean it is working fine. A railroad won't burn money to rebuild a unit that is fine. Pretty paint does not help a rusted rattley, leaky cab, or an engine that drops its load, or requires a "buddy" to help it limp home fairly often. I appreciate that you like to see old Conrail units out running; but it costs a disturbing amount of money just to move a dead or weak unit around. Take solice in the fact the frame is getting a new life.
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I am aware of that which is at least good they have kept the old Conrail Locos and have used them even though they are rebuilds they are still Conrail I guess. I am aware of the Money Side of things, I was meaning to put that aside and just mention my thoughts on the locomotives.
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| Posted by on May 31, 2013 | |
The SD 50 was trouble-prone and not successful, powered by the final version of the 645 engine. Interestingly one could say the same about the SD/GP 35's powered by the final 567. The rebuilds by NS and CSX will result in a better-performing more reliable unit. No need to be sentimental about a machine that has worked at least 25 years - frankly that is a pretty long life already.
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Speaking from the aspect of a locomotive rebuiler, these locomotives are one of the worst built. We are currently scrapping most in our inventory and I would hate for you to see our Conrail (NS) 5471 in a small pile of bite sized metal bits. Customers do not want to purchase these second hand and the only viable solution is to rebuild them into a cost saving and usable machine. I understand your loyalty to the Conrail but remember when every thing went blue, all the fans of its Predecessor railroads were crying then. You can not stop forward progession so take all the pictures when you can end enjoy the moment.
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I agree with your comment about a Gevo not looking right in that Conrail blue. I was part of the NS Heritage unit production, and I was realy disappointed when I found out that they were going to paint a Gevo in Conrail instead of an SD70ACe.
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At least it`s getting a second life vs being scapped. #Conrail Forever!!!!!!!!
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