I have read that the SOO kept some of the Milwaukee's U30Bs.....does anyone know which numbers, and were they ever put into service? Thanks, BILL ------------------ ship SOO!
Bill, I don't think any GE's made service. A majority of ex-Milw units were never renumbered, and that included all the six-azle GE's. I don't recall MIlw having U-30B's, though they did have U-30C's and U-36C's, which were retired in Dec 86 and went to GE for rebuilding as Super-7-30C's and numbered into the GECX series, or scrapped. I have Fred Hyde's 1993 Soo Line annual and it shows no mention of U-30B's in the disposition section. Gary.
Gary, thanks for the info. I didn't think any MILW U Boats made SOO records either, other than the 6 axles, until I saw the web site that showed 3 (I think) U30Bs carried on the books of the SOO. Maybe they had to carry them until the Equipment Trusts expired, (?), I don't know. But they were in the old MILW 5600-5609 series.....and if I remember correctly, they were 5600, 5602 and maybe 5603 or 5604. (there also was a note about a 6000 number series designation, that maybe was their prior or renumber series). I can see more investigation is needed. Thanks again, it's a real mystery to me! BILL ------------------ ship SOO! [This message has been edited by SOOperSOO (edited 13 April 2000).]
All part of the joy working from historical records Let me know what you find out. In the meantime, I really need to banditise that new N Milw SD40-2... Gary. ------------------ Gary A. Rose http://www.pnc.com.au/~audiosat/ - The Unofficial TC&W page N to the Nth degree!
Oh NO, not another bandit! It's funny how we fans "glorify" something as unattracive (please forgive my opinion) as that livery, especially when you compare it side-by-side with the absolutely stunning SOO red & white. But I must agree, they were an important part of the life of our favorite.....and they did last a long, long painfully long time! BILL ------------------ ship SOO!
Gary, think we may have this U-Boat thing squared away! First off, I must have been really tired when I saw the web site that listed the 4 axle units, (or maybe too much Fosters!), anyway The Chief at the Milwaukee forum sez they were U23Bs, and three of them lasted till 1989 then were scrapped at GE. Did you ever hear of the SOO putting U23Bs in service?....seems the operating costs would have been really high, with just 3 units. Anyway, now that's settled, and we can go on to your new Kato Bandit unit! BILL p.s. are you gonna shorten the fuel tank? ------------------ ship SOO!
Yep! Another bandit! Looks good after I got stuck into it with the ELO to distress the seperation line between the black and orange. The black patch has been done, now it's Glosscote time and decalling. The tanks are shorter? I didn't check that too closely. They look like 4000 gallon tanks to me. I'll check that again and, If so, then use an Atlas GP40 tank! As for the U23B's, I doubt they turned a wheel. When Soo had the 10 U30C's, it had a lot of trouble with them. I guess being an all-EMD road at that time proved to be against the GE's best interests - the shop staff simply weren't familiar with them. A word of warning! Fosters (there) is Canadian brewed. We send ours into Asia since no-one here touches the stuff! Gary.
Gary, thanks for the info. Did you paint or decal the black side patch? Am wondering if you'll "distress" that too, so a part of the MILW name shows through? Also, didn't know about the Fosters being brewed in Canada. Sure couldn't tell by the commercials........"How do you spell Australia?.......F-O-S-T-E-R-S ! BILL p.s. did you ever do one of the SD45s?..they look really neat, and then can justify using them on a SOO Line layout. On one of the other forums (MILW or CP, I think) someone suggested having a leasing company model layout, then "anything goes" ! ------------------ ship SOO!
No, with this SD40-2 I have it in a fresh 'patch'. The loco was 'weathered' prior to masking and air brushing. As for the SD45's, I have 3 CP 'flags' units that are ear-marked for stripping and repaint. Two will be WC units, but the 3rd was heading for a BN scheme to joing the one I have already. I have a B&W shot of the 2 45's that Soo had but I don't know what colour is under the 'mega-patch'. Any ideas? Doing a lease fleets is a very good idea. It's the reason for 2 SD35 'Bricks' when they arrive I also have 2 Conrail SD40's I recently acquired. I am sure one could be fitted into a Helm lease fleets somewhere. Fosters is brewed in Toronto 'under supervision from Carlton and United Brewery', one of the 2 largest brewers here (and the Australian owned one at that!) Cheers, Gary.
