I was in Chattanooga TN today and made a pass by NS's DeButts Yard. There are over 50 engines there in storage. Most are straight SD40's in the 1500, 1600, and 3100 number series. There were also some SD50's and all six SD50S's (2500-2505) in the storage lines. This is a sad sight because this is usually the last stop for an engone before it leaves NS's roster. I grew up watching these engines ply the rails of the Southern and now Norfolk Southern. Just won't seem the same if NS gets rid of them. Oh well, just thought everyone might be interested in this sighting.
Richard, Thanks for the bad news (excuse me while I grab a tissue). I always liked the high hood Southern SD40's.... the porch was not to short, not too long, just right ( I liked the SD45's too, but they have been gone for a while!) Yes, it is sad to see the older models go. As I stated in my Greensboro post, pretty much all I ever see is big black GE units, which is not nearly as exciting as the "old days" (I'm talking 80's, early 90's) when assorted EMD power ruled. Harold
I still find it hard to understand why they scrap functioning locos, etc that have nothing wrong with them, and spend up big to replace them... is it the times>>> and Im still existing in the 80's?
V-Bird, I would suspect it is the bean counters, a management decision. The effective amortization allowed on these engines has probably run its course, so the tax write-off plus the lower horsepower made the financial future less attractive than their worth. There are advantages to be gained in juggling capital expendature. It is the same at any manufacturer when purchasing machinery really costs less than maintaining out-of-book equipment. Now those engines can be sold under certain conditions without incuring capital gains problems. That is why some engines were simply donated to some charity, for which the declared value can be written off the corporate taxes. See?
Well I don't know how to tell you all this in a lighthearted way but i for one am happy they are going.If you had to work on them you would know what I mean.Yesterday I was working on a 1600 series and the deisel fumes were so bad that it made both myself and the engineer sick.But we had to finish all the work in that engine.The NS doesn't take as good of care of the engines as they should.Most of the older units are very run down.When foreign power comes in we all scramble for it because 9 times out of 10 it is better.If you all would like to expierence a NS unit ride just hook up a hose to the exhaust stack of a semi truck and then stick it in your room.Breathe really hard abd then try to breathe it in again. Sorry for the sarcasm but it is true. [ 26 March 2001: Message edited by: Ed Pinkley#2 ]
