Sounds like these guys will have a blast! I work for the Coopersville and Marne Railroad in Michigan.We are a tourist train and our prime power is a SW-9 ex GTW #7014, older but still just as fun as a SW1500 Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Jerry, when is soon ? in two days we will already have next year... (yes I'm waiting too...) Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Tardy teachers, kiwis with sticks... this looks to be a long awaited thread Does this mean Class 1's still use SW1500 and their ilk? But weren't they designed+built, like, back in the 60's or 70's? (I'm guessing Google could tell me) Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
So were SD40's, GP38's, GP40's, and Dash 7's but they are still plentiful on Class 1s Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Most non-Dash-2 SD40s remaining on Class 1s are rebuilds. CSX and maybe NS have a few originals. Dash 7s are getting quite thin now; C30/36-7s have been gone from Class 1 rosters for two or three years. UP and CSX do still have a significant number of 4-axle Dash-7s lingering in local and switching work. And remember, Dash-7s are about 10 years younger than the others. GEs of that era aren't as reliable as EMDs. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
It sure is amazing how long those things last! All of our switch engines are SW1500's or MP15AC's. We tested the Green Goats at the Ford plant but found that they weren't powerfull enough. Too bad, because they still require an engineer as far as I know. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
I look forward to the class.. although, I have an SW1200 sitting in the yards right now. Mark+ Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
One of the training yards we use in UPRR conductor class has a TON of SP SW1500's! They all say "Bay Area" on them. There are also a bunch of Santa Fe GP-7's there. PLUS, and entire train of red Mo-Pac wood chip cars cut in 3 different sections. Those things are HUGE! Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Jerry; Its a TON of studying! I haven't studied this much...ever! We've had 7 tests in 2 weeks, and I have around a 95% average; UP requires an 85% on all tests to pass, so, I guess I'm not doing too bad. We practiced taking apart and putting together a train last week, changed some knuckles and air hoses. Practiced climbing between cars, threw some switches...all in about 15 degree weather!LOL! One more week of class room in this module of new hire training, then we go out on some training/student trips, then back to the class room. The last thing we do is remote control training. We are due to be done with training on May 26th. I'll be glad to get the cold weather rout of the way!LOL! Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene Bob
Excellent! Keep up the great work Bob! Stay warm and continue to be safe! Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
