I was going through my files again and Altoona seemed to be on my mind lately. Maybe it's the expedition I'm missing soon that brought it to mind. Anyway, I came across this curiosity from August 2005 at Cresson, PA that you won't see in many places. 4 locomotives to move two cars. And not just any 4 locomotives either. 3 of the units constitute 10% of EMD's production of unique 5000 hp SD80MAC's. Norfolk Southern ended up with around 17 or so of the units in the Conrail split-up with CSX. The odd unit of the bunch is a slightly less unique 3900hp GE C39-8. That makes 18,900 hp available to move maybe 200 tons? An old 66o hp switcher would suffice. NS isn't likely to do something like this without reason, but knowing the answer would take the fun out wondering. All units seemed to be running but we didn't check to see how many were on-line. This is the local that works between South Fork and Gallitzin so these units are readily available. They do have the innovative double ended train to reach any siding rapidly just like the Providence and Worcester we New Englander's are familiar with. Last summer we heard this type of setup switching at the lumber yard in Gallitzin (it was a dark night) . All of the popping and hissing that goes on around these MAC's is a bit of a giveaway.
A curiosity and a bit of a bonus for us distant MAC fans, as long as South Fork coal operations hang on to the SD80MAC's.
BC
2 comments:
I remember spending an early Sunday morning with Phil in South Fork. We got an SD80 show as one pulled out right in front of us off the branch and onto the main.
Phil is a good man - one of the best. I will miss him now that PA is largely in my rear view mirror. Phil - we'll be back, someday :-)
The Beloved SD80MAC's belong on the B&A!there our babies ya know.
WFPT proven Tough!!!
"THE BOSS" Approves This Message!
Post a Comment