The MILW's electrical guru, Lawrence Wylie had on his own negotiated a deal with GE to buy all twenty at scrap value, $1 Million dollars, plus spare parts. However, railroad's President Kiley killed the idea, as he wanted to dieselize the entire railroad operation. The electrification was never planned to last as long as it did. (I believe the original estimated life span was thirty years.) This was just one of several attempts to bring down the wires. Thanks to the likes of Wylie, the electrification lasted almost 25 years longer, and as a result pumped many, many millions of dollars in savings into MILW bank accounts.
As far as I know one is still currently in operating condition, one of the few that were owned by South Shore and South Bend Railroad (wired for 1500 VDC instead of MILW's 3000 VDC), and it runs for non-revenue operations on a few miles of track that belong to that railroad. Dom
CSXT Q268, A northbound autorack train on the LIRC crosses the "Falls Of The Ohio" with downtown Louisville, KY in the background. by NSFan14 posted Jul 29, 2015 at 7:24 PM
Cool photo Alex. Wow has it been since 2008 when I talked to you at the museum in New Haven, Kentucky?
Hey Guys! Russell-It has been! Such a long time! Boxcab-The railroad for sure keeps me busy all the time. Ive now moved into train dispatching, so its for sure busy!
Congratulations on your move, which I hope is a promotion. Dispatching would be a nightmare for me because I think and analyze too much. At least trains don't enter an approach area at 200+ mph, so you have a little time to consider alternatives....Good Luck!
Sounds like an interesting career move. Congratulations and best wishes! Please keep us posted on how you are doing!
Congratulations! Although I don't know that I could deal with that - really never wanted a "desk job." But hey, moving up is moving up!