OK, I'm a little out of my normal stomping grounds... This came to me courtesy of the Radcliff Modell RR group, regarding possible new power for NS: "I have been hearing rumors off and on now for a few weeks that NS was looking to purchase 4 F units to use on Office car trains and other special stuff, but didnt put much to it until now.. "NS ran a Special train out of Saint Louis yesterday. , NS 956. Consist was NS 9352, RPCX 1020 RPCX 2020 RPCX 2010 RPCX 1010.. Those RPCX units are a A-B-B-A set of F9's (may be F7's) that have resided in Saint Louis for several years. They are Amtrak certified and in good condtion. They are either headed to Altoona PA or Debutts shop in Chatt. "956 left Danville KY at 1800 this evening, headed South on the CNO&TP. I would have figured them to turn North for the fastest route to Altoona, and have no idea why they Went South unless they are gonna send them to Debutts first, or if they will routed through Knoxville, Roanoke ect to get around the big derailment in PA. If anyone can update, please do so. I will post more if I hear anything. "While NS does do contract locomotive work at Altoona for a lot of different RR's, those units usually move in regular trains. The fact that these covered wagons are moving in a special train makes me think these are more than just contract work.. we will have to wait and see.." And some evidence: More pics (and more NS info) can be found at the JREB NS Forums Thanks to Mr. Bell, the administrator, for permission to post the photo.
Cool!!! I hope it's true. If so, this will put some class back into railroading! Long live the Bulldog Nosed EMD! :thumbs_up: :teeth: Boxcab E50
If they wanted class for their Business trains, they'd go and pull no611 out and run it again. I know steam costs mucho dinero, and the insurance is high, but that would be a PR coup d' tat. Now lets have a contest to see what those F's should look like, my vote is Southern green or tuxedo. Brad
I dunno about steam - strikes me that the covered wagon is classy enough in it's own way. And while a nod to history would be classy (but which history - SOU or N&W?) I think personally that the current scheme could look very nice on these units.
Would be awesome! I say a modern rendition of the tuxedo scheme. Norfolk Southern spelled out in the classic Southern font on each side.
If this is really happening, I just hope they'll apply a REAL paint scheme to these. Not some messy, silly explosion at the paint factory idea. mg: Boxcab E50
Sweet! Covered wagons rock.... I vote for a Crescent scheme, or maybe the modern NS scheme. I dunno how they'd treat the 'whiteface' on a cab unit, however.
I have it on good authority that NS DID buy the 4 F unit set... they are being sent to Altoona (PA) shops to be completely inspected and they are expected to be repainted in the classic Southern black & white passenger livery!!!
This is what I was thinking of, http://southern-railway.railfan.net/sry/funits/sou6100.jpg That would look sharp!
Unless I am mistaken, isnt that the F set that pulled the excursion train out of Union Station in St Louis??? Railtours America or similar company wasnt it? I would hate to see another excursion train dissappear. Perhaps it was bought ought by NS. I guess time will tell.
I thought the passenger (Crescent) scheme was similar in design, but with a medium green instead of black.....?
Here's a link to some photos: http://jreb.org/v-web/gallery/album46/956_2?full=1 http://jreb.org/v-web/gallery/album46/956_1 Enjoy!
Here's some more information from a very reliable source: Its official. NS has acquired 4 ABBA F units and possibly two E's to take over executive duties from run of the mill (albeit clean) road power. The F's were purchased from KCS and were previously used by RailCruise America. 2 A's are ex MARC F9PH's that began life as B&O F7A's and the 2 B's are ex C&NW F7B's. Here's the kicker....rumour has them being painted Southern black/aluminum/gold. The two E's are the NYS&W E9AU's 2400 and 2402. Both built for CB&Q. Unsure if they have actually bought these - this is rumour. The F purchase is official.
I'm not sure about the '50s, but in the '60s, passenger engines did wear black. IIRC, it was in 1972 that they started repinting to green.
