CSS Freight testing EMD unit?

I passed this pair headed west while on Train 9, after work I intercepted the pair working at Burnham yard. Anyone have info on this?

Ryan

is there suppose to be a photo here? large EMD or older, refurbished models?

It is a green ElectroMotive "Repower" loco #7101 (for those who see the picture).
http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails. ... toID=82912 for another shot (on another road).

It is one of ElectroMotive's demo units ... http://www.trainweb.org/gensets/owners/emdx.html

Where are the pantagraphs? You know, when you get under the wire you could kill the engines and save fuel....

-comic rant over-

dinwitty wrote:Where are the pantagraphs? You know, when you get under the wire you could kill the engines and save fuel....

-comic rant over-

Pantagraphs are an excellent idea. Perhaps not in freight service but put EMDs on the West Lake service to Lowell or Valparaiso (via Gary) on a push-pull into Randolph St and you may have a winning combination. Use the pans on the current line and crank up the gensets when in new territory.

Sounds like a modern variant of an FL9!!

Is there talk of replacing the venerable GP38-2's? I seem to remember then testing some blue GP20D locos around 2003.

I know a guy that works for South Shore Freight. There is no talk of replacing any of the GP-38s. They are only testing the unit for EMD on their shortline haulage. The test unit gets about 3,000hp on an eight cylinder engine. However, the cost of the locomotive is something to be questioned. SSF is very happy with the GP-38s and probably will be since they have spent time and money on repainting the locos.

Keith

So what was the story with the blue CITI Group GP20D's they had for a couple of weeks, around 2002 I think? Those would be interesting in orange. Just not in the market at the time, or not cost effective as oppossed to rebuilding the Geeps?

I can try to find out for you. My connection,i'm pretty sure, did not work for SSF in 2002. My guess would be cost vs rebuiling. That was a relatively new technology in 2002?..

It's hard to believe that the GP38-2s will be 30 years old next year. How's their reliability been?

I would guess good - CSS just repainted half the fleet and likely wouldn't spend that kind of money on something headed for retirement.