The pay was low and erratic but being in the equipment business had its fringe benefits like the guided tours such as one that got us a trip through this great operation. This unit was originally... (more)

In VMV's heyday, they'd get a unit, slap VMV or PAL on the slide and assign it to PAL until the unit was sold, rebuilt or failed. The only trick was finding a PAL train running in the daytime. Th... (more)

Former CB&Q unit looks like it's had the course. Note that A-frame is not a building behind the locomotive but a rock screen. Photo by unknown. From my collection.

While the big H20-44s were working the road trains this unit had to stay home and perform the mundane switching jobs. Much appreciation to SWPC for permission to shoot, etc.

From another angle. All packed up and ready to go. Sold by a dealer to another industry, double reduction gearing and friction bearings dictate that it must ride to destination on other wheels. ... (more)

All packed up and ready to go. Sold by a dealer to another industry, double reduction gearing and friction bearings dictate that it must ride to destination on other wheels. Photo by Jim Satter... (more)

So many GE critters are custom in some way. These little locomotives are narrow, not narrow gauge, just narrow. Photo by Jim Satterwhite. From my collection.

A great operation for railfans but somewhat unfortunate for the principals, now long since defunct.

I previously posted a roster shot of this former MP unit switching the paper mill and I found another putting more context to the scene. I like those classy classification lights.

Somewhere in the area of Concord or Salisbury or the vicinity a SB special is racing along. I wish they still used that full length dome. Photo by Jim Satterwhite.

Originally P&PU, rebuilt by Peoria Locomotive Works and sold through dealer Coastline Rail Services. Photo by Jim Satterwhite. From my collection.

How the mighty have fallen. By the time of this shot this former SOU 6913 had been sold, evidently to a fan as the old logo has been applied. It got worse, but I think this classic still is in e... (more)

In a truly inspired application of irony someone named this place, desolate, cold and presided over by one lonely buzzard hungry for a meal and unlikely to find one. A coal train trundles its way... (more)

This former L&N unit was reengined by them and would end up shifting coal cars at the very end of the Carrolton Railroad which was a prosperous interprise operated by CSX. This modest little site... (more)

One of the last of the ragtag, sectional track on bare ground, rundown, dented locomotives, decrepit freight car operations around, this company was a delight to visit and generally friendly to ra... (more)