NJT needs Geeps - there aren't enough Dual Modes right now (maybe in future orders, who knows) to replace all the Geeps in passenger/revenue service. Also, NJT needs Geeps for the simple fact that in work and yard service, dual modes or any full cowl body unit will not work. NJT needs Geeps for work trains as there aren't always places to turn the power and we often run long hood forward (roughly half the time...) on work trains and equipment relay moves, and you can't run long hood forward in a PL or dual mode. Also, as protect power, a Geep can be used if the loco or cab car craps out. If a cab car craps out, you put the Geep on the front of the train and run it long hood forward. If the diesel craps out, you put it on the end and its short nose west (normal) - without a Geep as protect power, you really need at least 1 spare cab car in each terminal AND a spare locomotive.
So as far as I know, the Geeps (pretty much all of them, except maybe really bad actors) are safe, and the full body units are kind of on thin ice (not the PL42s, but the F40s and FHs) - that was mentioned in the "Locomotive" article last year
On the RR, "believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see"
John, aka "JTGSHU" passed away on August 26, 2013. We honor his memory and his devotion to railroading at railroad.net.