Hey All. Not a lot has changed on the Appalachian & Ohio. Rail traffic still pretty heavy, probably anywhere between 8 and 12 trains a day. Another new logo is being applied to some of the SD50's......not sure if UP contacted them about the use of a modified shield. I've only spotted 5101, 5107 and 5117 with the new logo. I think all the SD50's are now with their permanent lettering and numbers. I spotted 5107 (ex-Conrail) 2 weeks ago in Buckhannon, it had just been washed and lettering applied on the long hood. The maintainence crews added speed recorders, all new traction motors and a new 3-chime air horn. (High-Pitch Nathan P-3?) 5103 finally had it's number board reconstructed after it's second run in with a coal loading chute since July. A contract with an Illinois-based power company was signed in August, so the A&O is hauling out coal for that. I haven't seen any, but have heard from several folks they are loaded in SIRX BethGons. Quite a bit of "freight" traffic. CSX has been sending several of their own coal hoppers down to the Elk River Railroad in Gassaway, WV via the A&O for repairs under a contractual agreement. The Elk River is currently not hauling any coal, so that generates some funding for them......several cars are sent down, repaired then held in both Gassaway and Buckhannon. 1 or 2 times a week the A&O helper set will need refueled, so they call up crew and round up all the repaired cars and take them back to CSX in Grafton, WV. These trains have been as long as 45 or 50 cars.......sounds like a very minute amout of "Freight" but this line generates 90%+ coal traffic, so any train that has everything BUT coal hoppers hauling revenue is nice to see. I haven't done a whole lot of railfanning, but I will being spening much of Thanksgiving break from school doing so. If anyone out there has different info about the A&O, or more up-to-date stuff. Feel free to post. I'm 40 miles away from the A&O at school.
This would be no surprise. They've gone insane in Omaha. Soon they'll try laying claim to everything on earth. Looking forward to some current pictures. Thanksgiving will be here all too soon! Boxcab E50
I must have caught a good chunk of the A&O Roster in grafton this summer, there was seven SD-50's on the track Closest to the station and D tower, all ex CR, UP and one CNW (!).
yes, that track is the track CSX charges rent on for the A&O to tie down locomotives. No sure what the charge is. I've heard it was 8 bucks an hour.
OOh I forgot about 5111, the CNW unit. How could I!?!?!.....I think it is the only units that hasn't had it's lettering or numbers applied. But i haven't seen it in a while, either. The employees named it "The Flying Goose", I saw it once a month ago and someone had actually taken a paint brush and painted that under the cab windows on both sides.
Pat- When you are out there chasing, could you inquire as to the story behind this nickname? There must be something unique. Perhaps humorous.... Boxcab E50
