Railroad Forums
Moderators: sery2831, CRail
Mbtagp40mc wrote:So they've officially ridded themselves of 1009 and 1014. Will they do the same procedure with the rest or maybe sell them to tourist operations?.....or let's talk about restoration again...How many are left?
Mbtagp40mc wrote:So they've officially ridded themselves of 1009 and 1014. Will they do the same procedure with the rest or maybe sell them to tourist operations?.....or let's talk about restoration again...All of the screamers are officially retired. There is no rebuild program for them specifically. They are rotted to the core and have several points where it is leaking into their engine and HEP blocks to the point where it costs a lot more to rebuild them than retire and buy new locomotives. They are investing in 36 better shape F40s to be suitable for a rebuild program.
trains18 wrote:All of the screamers are officially retired. There is no rebuild program for them specifically. They are rotted to the core and have several points where it is leaking into their engine and HEP blocks to the point where it costs a lot more to rebuild them than retire and buy new locomotives. They are investing in 36 better shape F40s to be suitable for a rebuild program.Rotted to the core? They aren't solid blocks so I'm not sure how rot gets from the surface to the 'core'. The prime movers are EMD 645 Turbos just like any other F40 whether it be 2C, PH, M or otherwise. Assemblies for those engines are still commercially available from the manufacturer. The shells are sheet metal around a solid frame and the rest is all dressing. If those units got an overhaul the likes of the stretch F40s they'd come out just as good (minus the excess fuel consumption, which is really the disadvantage making them less feasible). If it wasn't for the head end power issue I'd say they're a lot more worthwhile than the GP40s, some of which are slated for Knowledge Corridor service (hence MassDOT ownership). Whatever plans are had for them may never be realized, but if there wasn't one I don't think any would still exist.
CRail wrote:Well keep in mind that if they wanted to rebuild them, they would have done that a long time ago before their lifespan is up. But yeah you never know if they change their mind to rebuild them. But as far as I've heard, they are retired and are awaiting the bids to be sold as scrap which is why they are in storage. There's lots of water that leaks into them because of the shell around them slowly rusting away and from staying outside uncovered which makes it more expensive to overhaul since there's more damage to repair. Some of their prime movers and other important components failed too not just the hep. The F40's currently in service are due for an overhaul which is being done now.trains18 wrote:All of the screamers are officially retired. There is no rebuild program for them specifically. They are rotted to the core and have several points where it is leaking into their engine and HEP blocks to the point where it costs a lot more to rebuild them than retire and buy new locomotives. They are investing in 36 better shape F40s to be suitable for a rebuild program.Rotted to the core? They aren't solid blocks so I'm not sure how rot gets from the surface to the 'core'. The prime movers are EMD 645 Turbos just like any other F40 whether it be 2C, PH, M or otherwise. Assemblies for those engines are still commercially available from the manufacturer. The shells are sheet metal around a solid frame and the rest is all dressing. If those units got an overhaul the likes of the stretch F40s they'd come out just as good (minus the excess fuel consumption, which is really the disadvantage making them less feasible). If it wasn't for the head end power issue I'd say they're a lot more worthwhile than the GP40s, some of which are slated for Knowledge Corridor service (hence MassDOT ownership). Whatever plans are had for them may never be realized, but if there wasn't one I don't think any would still exist.
trains18 wrote:Wouldn't they replace everything anyways? The -2c rebuilds are becoming -3c's which I believe would replace engine, prime mover, HEP, etc. The only thing that needs to be in ok enough shape is the frame which I imagine they would be. Seems to me if they get rid of the GP40's, they would need 1000-1017 (minus the ones scrapped already of course) to have a big enough fleet unless they plan on buying new or perhaps getting from Genesis's from Amtrak.CRail wrote:Well keep in mind that if they wanted to rebuild them, they would have done that a long time ago before their lifespan is up. But yeah you never know if they change their mind to rebuild them. But as far as I've heard, they are retired and are awaiting the bids to be sold as scrap which is why they are in storage. There's lots of water that leaks into them because of the shell around them slowly rusting away and from staying outside uncovered which makes it more expensive to overhaul since there's more damage to repair. Some of their prime movers and other important components failed too not just the hep. The F40's currently in service are due for an overhaul which is being done now.trains18 wrote:All of the screamers are officially retired. There is no rebuild program for them specifically. They are rotted to the core and have several points where it is leaking into their engine and HEP blocks to the point where it costs a lot more to rebuild them than retire and buy new locomotives. They are investing in 36 better shape F40s to be suitable for a rebuild program.Rotted to the core? They aren't solid blocks so I'm not sure how rot gets from the surface to the 'core'. The prime movers are EMD 645 Turbos just like any other F40 whether it be 2C, PH, M or otherwise. Assemblies for those engines are still commercially available from the manufacturer. The shells are sheet metal around a solid frame and the rest is all dressing. If those units got an overhaul the likes of the stretch F40s they'd come out just as good (minus the excess fuel consumption, which is really the disadvantage making them less feasible). If it wasn't for the head end power issue I'd say they're a lot more worthwhile than the GP40s, some of which are slated for Knowledge Corridor service (hence MassDOT ownership). Whatever plans are had for them may never be realized, but if there wasn't one I don't think any would still exist.