About 2 weeks now, until CSX turns the keys over to WATCO for the beginning of operations for the Appalachian and Ohio. I was told today that there were two Bangor & Aroostook Geeps and a Union Pacific six axle parked in Grafton, bound for Buckhannon in the next couple weeks as leased units for the beginning of A&O operations. It has been mentioned more than a few times in several places, talking about the A&O obtaining several SD50's from CSX. The West Virginia Central (out of Elkins, WV) was actually supposed to get the line, but WATCO came up with a better lease deal at the last moment. To describe how close the line was to being leased by The WVC..........the were ready to put in an order to GE for a pair of GEVO's.
I wish everyone the best. Hope it works out well under Watco. So far, they're doing OK here. Possibly our dry winter will save them money on Spring thaw upkeep. Where the track would generally need work after weeks of being soggy. If you ever hear the reason that the choice went to Watco, instead of WVC, it would be interesting to learn why. Some of the behind-the-scenes stuff is rather fascinating when deciphered. Boxcab E50
I'm gonna bet that WATCO was willing to pay more for the lease than the WVC wanted to. Would have been nice to see a pair of GEVO's plugging along in Western Maryland Black and Gold or Circus Colors, but ooh well...we'll see what that A&O has to offer.
If so, I sure hope they didn't cut themselves too thin of a margin. Otherwise, we'll see their infrastructure quickly declining. That'll be a bummer. Boxcab E50
As of right now, there are 2 BAR GP38's, 3 ex UP SD50's WAMX 5801-5803 and another UP SD50 as NREX 5083. Two more BAR GP38's are scheduled to run the line, likely to handle the coal trains off the Beech Mountain Railroad since there will be no AC's to handle the light rail and sharp curves on the old Pickens line. All these locomotives are currently in Grafton and will likely be moved to here in Buckhannon in the next week or two. Several more SD50's on the way, some CSX, some UP, some ex Conrail. Gonna be pretty colorful operation. The curent B&O CPL's are still in operation with CSX, but the A&O may file for deactivation and run on train orders. Then again, following the NS accident in South Carolina a couple months ago, they may be forced to use the old signals. EDIT: numbers may not be correct from the SD50's so don't quote me on those. Just information I'm passing along.
Pat- Understand about the possibility of incorrect numbers. We had the same with the Watco startup here. Still some errors floating around now! Hope you can catch some photos. Maybe they'll have a paint scheme for the new company by the warmer months! Boxcab E50
What I mean by incorrect is that I was emailed this info and am passing it along, haven't seen with my own eyes. I'm going to Grafton next week to do some railfanning, so I'll see for sure then......probably more stuff there by then. I had heard the official paint would be blue, not unlike Conrail Blue with a large A&O on the sides, big and bold like the later NW paint. The SD50's are A&O property now, so they would most likely get paint, but the bAR Geeps are on lease only.
Have you ever seen the paint scheme of the V&O model RR? That would be a great one! I like the one McClelland used either for 1960's, or 1970's. Before he went ultra modern. Boxcab E50
Atleast 14 Locomotives have been put into storage in belington, WV in the main yard of the West Virginia Central. The WVC isn't very active in the winter and CSX didn't want locomotives piling up in Grafton. Here is a list of what was in Belington bound for the Appalachian & Ohio next week: WAMX 5101, 5102, 5103, 5104, & 5105 All ex-UP SD50's. NREX 5073, 5083, 5091, 5092 & 5093 All ex-UP SD50's. Bangor & Aroostook 350, 353, 355 and 363 all GP38's. The entire yard at Belington: Bangor & Aroostook #363: And Appalachian & Ohio (WAMX) 5102:
Ouch. This seems a little awkward. WVC storing stuff for the company that beat them out of the lease? Keep us posted on startup! Boxcab E50
Yeah, but's still under CSX, so they're really storing stuff for CSX who is storing stuff for Watco. These will likely be in Buckhannon and Burnsville by next Wednesday or Thursday.
OK. That makes sense. Will you be able to chase these, as the units are moved closer to the startup points? Boxcab E50
I doubt it. I mean 90% of the whole A&O system is inaccessible by vehicle. Gotta love West Virginia. I am fairly new to railfanning even though I've spent everyone of my 19 years of life here in Buckhannon, the new operations HQ of the A&O. It is difficult to chase trains because of the terrain as I mentioned before, and that the trains run very irregularly. Coal trains only run as 24 hour period or only 2. Varies day by day. the best anyone can do is listen to the scanner and hope to grab a coal drag rolling through somewhere. [ March 17, 2005, 02:02 PM: Message edited by: A&A 6183 ]
It's amazing how many SD50's are on the market now....UP turned a bunch in, NS (CR) did, and I think CSX even let some go. The Reading and Northern has some nicely repainted ones too! Harold
To day was the first day. CSX absolutely cleaned out the Wye here in Buckhannon, incluiding the three Tool cars and caboose which had been dormant for over 6 years. I cought my first A&O train just a couple minutes ago on the way home from work. Ex-UP SD50's 5105 , 5119 and 5108 in a light engine move southward to the coalfields. 5105 was leading with a horn that sounded like a car horn; very crisp, out of tune and maybe 1 high-pitch chime. Beatiful sound to me, tired of the K5la's and whatever the standard horn is called (K5LA?) I should go down the the yard/Wye tomorrow and see if any of the BaA GP38's are there yet for the switcher/ Heaters Turn job for the next 2 weeks.
Sounds like you'll be having a more interesting time chasing the new Watco venture, than we might have here. Looking forward to a few photos! Boxcab E50
Tail-end shot of an ex-Chicago & North Western SD50 in a 3-engine set with 5116 and 5118. Ex-UP SD50, now Appalachian & Ohio 5116. Ex UP and former NREX SD50 #5086, still with origional numberboards, now dressed as A&O 5118. A pair of Bangor & Aroostook GP38's near "The Barracks" in Buckhannon. After this picture 353 was shut off and crews went to work. No word yet on what was wrong.
Nice shots! Last time I saw yellow SD50s, they were lettered for Missouri Pacific and were pulling coal trains thru Topeka, KS back in the mid-1980s. I hope these beasts got some repairs to 'em before going to the A&O.
