More motive power news

[friscobob]

Gleaned from the Railspot group on Yahoo!:

KCS locomotive fleet acquisition lowers operating ratio

As part of an ongoing emphasis on lowering the operating ratio and enhancing shareholder value, the Kansas City Southern Railway recently exercised its option to purchase at fair market value, 74 locomotives, which it had previously leased from Southern Capital Corporation, LLC.

The transaction is effective May 1, 2004.

The fleet is comprised of (21) SD40-3's, (10) GP38-2's, (28) GP40-3's, (5) MP1500's and (10) SW1500's. Switching these locomotives from leased to owned will save KCSR approximately $1.8 million annually.

Southern Capital Corporation, LLC is a leasing corporation owned jointly by KCSR and GATX Capital Corporation of San Francisco.

- KCS News, courtesy Larry W. Grant

http://railroadnews.net/news/2-19.html

[friscobob]

More KCS motive power news-and tunnel motors to boot! This was from the Railspot group, and verified by several KCSHS members.

From CTC Board Magazine

Four new additions to the KCS roster were expected during December 2003. KCS acquired 4 former Sp tunnel motors from UP. 3 SD 40T-2's and 1 SD45T-2 will be rebuilt at Metro East Industries in East St Louis, IL. Each unit will emerge from rehabilitation with KCS paint and a new number. The SD40T-2's will fall into the 6100 series and the lone SD 45T-2 will be numbered in the 7200 series.

KCS 6100 in ex SP 8524.

Noticed that who ever painted the locomotive painted right over the radiator sight glass. Or there is tape covering it that hasn't been removed yet.
That makes at least two of the "new" units reported so far...6100 & 6102 out there on the KCS system. Is the black numbers on white background in the number boards part of the new numbering system?



Came across 2 photos of a Sparkling "new" tunnel motor on the KCS up in East St. Louis MO by Moe Bertrand

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=50594
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=50549