BERX Locomotive Fleet - General Discussion

Recent discussion on a Facebook page centers around Ottawa Valley Railroad 3029. Some posters are identifying it as RLK 3029, even though there are no visible markings for Rail Link Canada on the locomotive.

As I understand from those posts, visible ownership markings are not necessary; what is necessary is to have the locomotive's "Blue Card", its active inspection and repair certificate, present in the locomotive, and this form includes the power's legal ownership.

For those of us much less familiar with such matters, does this sound correct? And if so, would it be correct to say that all those exterior identifications we have been used to seeing like ST, BM and MEC are certainly okay but not legally necessary?

RLK is the reporting mark for Ottawa Valley, which has been retained even after the RailLink sale to RailAmerica, then the RA sale to G&W.

Considering neither GTI nor Pan Am held their own reporting marks, BM, MEC, and ST markings would certainly help identify the proper ownership, especially for those working with and around said locomotives. Most notably, the unpainted former CSXT units now working for their old owner once again.

atholrail wrote: ↑Tue Oct 17, 2023 2:25 pm Slug set is on the property. Trailing on AYED.

Almost six months later, this set is now in service, spotted yesterday leaving EDY for NA. Eastern Alabama now serving western Massachusetts. I don’t recall any previous sightings outside EDY.

Newest addition now on the road is BERX 7881, most recently CSX. The large CSX letters are painted over but the [ ] on either side remain.

MEC407 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 11:15 am

BlueFlag wrote: ↑Sun Sep 10, 2023 10:02 am According to another site, 4 Dash 8s from New Orleans are on the way, BERX 4001-4004.

Those must be the ex-NOPB, exx-NS Dash 8-40Cs that were recently for sale, and are now listed as sold. Externally they are in very rough shape. Hopefully they run better than they look.

Eight months later, 4002 was the trailing locomotive on 5/11 EDPW. Facebook post listed it as dead in tow. Not sure of ultimate destination or purpose after reaching PW interchange in Gardner. Certainly didn’t look any better than before.

For those who haven't seen Al LaPierre's http://photos.nerail.org/s/?p=279033 of 05-12, and it looks like a fleur-de-lis on the nose, evidently for NOLA.

NOPB's logo.

P&W paint shop is in Plainfield CT - maybe 4002 will shiny coat of orange paint with a B&E Minuteman logo?

Another G&W locomotive has arrived from somewhat afar -- in this case, Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern. CFE 3041 spotted at East Deerfield.
Photo credit: Brian Woodcock/Facebook

Brian Woodcock recently posted what I presume is the closest thing we have seen to a master list of the BERX fleet. Among the items of note: the 4002 that left EDY for a while then recently returned under unclear circumstances is, like the other three NOPB acquisitions, apparently now a parts depot. There may be other notable matters others may cite. And it possible there may be a change or two worth noting.. Many thanks to Brian.

From his post of Facebook CSX NE + B&E Railfans (slightly rearranged):

Berkshire & Eastern Roster
BERX 3027 GP40-2W Ex-MEC 502/CN 9432
BERX 5000 MP15AC Ex-GMTX 5000/NHB 8403
BERX 5001 Yard Slug Ex-GMTX 5001/KCS 402/KCS 4080/CNW BU18 Yard Slug/CNW 1075/CGW 39 DS44-1000
BERX 5930 B40-8 Ex-MEC 5930/GECX 9051/CSXT 5930/NYSW 4010
BERX 5936 B40-8 Ex-MEC 5936/GECX 9053/CSXT 5936/NYSW 4042
BERX 5943 B40-8 Ex-MEC 5943/GECX 9054/CSXT 5943/NYSW 4036
BERX 5946 B40-8 Ex-MEC 5946/GECX 9055/CSXT 5946/NYSW 4034
BERX 5967 B40-8 Ex-MEC 5967/GECX 9069/CSXT 5967/NS 4805/CR 5069
BERX 5974 B40-8 Ex-MEC 5974/GECX 9073/CSXT 5974/NS 4812/CR 5082
BERX 7489 C40-8 Ex-MEC 7489/GECX 9014/CSXT 7489/CR 6025
BERX 7517 C40-8 Ex-MEC 7517/GECX 9001/CSXT 7517
BERX 7518 C40-8 Ex-MEC 7518/GECX 9012/CSXT 7518
BERX 7523 C40-8 Ex-MEC 7523/GECX 9010/CSXT 7523
BERX 7528 C40-8 Ex-MEC 7528/GECX 9008/CSXT 7528
BERX 7535 C40-8 Ex-MEC 7535/GECX 9004/CSXT 7535
BERX 7541 C40-8 Ex-MEC 7541/GECX 9017/CSXT 7541
BERX 7635 C40-8 Ex-MEC 7635/GECX 9013/CSXT 7635
BERX 7655 C40-8W Ex-MEC 7655/GECX 7655/CSXT 7655
BERX 7727 C40-8W Ex-MEC 7727/GECX 7727/CSXT 7727
BERX 7797 C40-8W Ex-MEC 7797/GECX 7797/CSXT 7797
BERX 7835 C40-8W Ex-MEC 7835/GECX 7835/CSXT 7835
BERX 7875 C40-8W Ex-MEC 7875/GECX 7875/CSXT 7875
BERX 7876 C40-8W Ex-GECX 7743/CSXT 7743
BERX 7877 C40-8W Ex-GECX 7758/CSXT 7758
BERX 7878 C40-8W Ex-GECX 7922/CSXT 7922/LMSX 704
BERX 7879 C40-8W Ex-GECX 7339/CSXT 7339/CR 6147
BERX 7880 C40-8W Ex-GECX 7907/CSXT 7907
BERX 7881 C40-8W Ex-GECX 7866/CSXT 7866

CSX Owned Power Leased To The Berkshire & Eastern
MEC 345 GP40 Ex-CR 3224/PC 3224
MEC 350 GP40 Ex-CR 3266/PC 3266/EMDX 17
MEC 381 GP40 Ex-HATX 414/CSXT 6732/SBD 6732/SCL 1577
MEC 3401 SD40-2 Ex-PRLX 247/NREX 247/QNSL 247
MEC 3402 SD40-2 Ex-PRLX 254/NREX 254/QNSL 254
MEC 3403 SD40-2 Ex-PRLX 258/NREX 258/QNSL 258
MEC 3404 SD40-2 Ex-PRLX 263/NREX 263/QNSL 263

Genesee & Wyoming Power Transferred to the Berkshire & Eastern
BAYL 3018 GP40-2 Ex-ASAB 3018/GTW 6418/DTI 418
BAYL 3019 GP40-2 Ex-BAYL 6419/GTW 6419/DTI 419
BAYL 6409 GP40-2 Ex-HOG 6409/RMPX 6409/GTW 6409/DTI 409
QGRY 6908 SD40-2 Ex-WC 6908/GCFX 6038/CN SD40 5198
EARY 807 Road Slug Ex-EARY 6404 Road Slug/NCVA 6404/PRSX 6404/GTW 6404/DTI 404 GP40
EARY 3807 GP40-2 Ex-EARY 6408/PRSX 6408/GTW 6408/DTI 408
RLK 3029 GP40-2LW Ex-RMPX 9426/CN 9426
CFE 3041 GP40-2 Ex- CSX 6755/SBD 6755/SCL 1600

Retired/Parts Source
BERX 4001 C40-8 Ex-NOPB 4001/GECX 9114/LTEX 8750/NS 8750
BERX 4002 C40-8 Ex-NOPB 4002/GECX 9115/LTEX 8751/NS 8751
BERX 4003 C40-8 Ex-NOPB 4003/GECX 9120/LTEX 8759/NS 8759
BERX 4004 C40-8 Ex-NOPB 4004/GECX 9121/LTEX 8760/NS 8760
MEC 7898 C40-8W Ex-GECX 7898/CSXT 7898
MEC 3405 SD40M-2 Ex-MEC 616/HLCX 6407/TRC 3006 SD40-2R/CSXT 8959/SBD 2054/SCL 2054 SD45-2

RE: BERX 4001, 4002, 4003 & 4004:

MEC407 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 5:38 pm Subaru Boy or whatever his name is will lose his mind when he sees them.

Sadly, perhaps -- and whatever one thinks of Mr. Demboske -- we will apparently never witness what might have been an epic commentary. As per above post, it appears all four are now retired and assigned to parts source.

Is B&E moving trains on former D4 with their "own" power yet, or still all NS junk coming through besides local jobs? Seems like they should have plenty of power on hand.

BlueFlag wrote: ↑Sun Aug 25, 2024 12:58 pm RE: BERX 4001, 4002, 4003 & 4004:

MEC407 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 5:38 pm Subaru Boy or whatever his name is will lose his mind when he sees them.

Sadly, perhaps -- and whatever one thinks of Mr. Demboske -- we will apparently never witness what might have been an epic commentary. As per above post, it appears all four are now retired and assigned to parts source.

He seems to have disappeared
Have not seen a video from him in a couple of weeks

I believe in one of his videos he stated he was having surgery soon.

Painting has begun at East Deerfield.