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Saturday, July 27, 2024

Engine Shop Report / New Motors for some of the Blue Box Fleet

 Greetings All,

New Motors for the Blue Box Fleet
The NYCTL engine shop was busy this past month working to improve locomotive consisting capabilities and the overall performance for my Athearn Blue Box U28B and U30Bs.

Athearn BB U28Bs / U30Bs aka B-Boats
The four BB B-Boats in my fleet consist of two factory painted NYC U30Bs and two PC U28Bs that I painted on the Patti-O Paint Shop and lettered according to prototype photos in 2016. Two are powered with gold flywheel motors, one with an older non flywheel motor and one is non powered. 
Prototype Information
The GE U25B was General Electric's first independent entry into the United States domestic road switcher diesel-electric locomotive railroad market for heavy production road locomotives since 1936. From 1940 through 1953, GE participated in a design, production, and marketing consortium (Alco-GE) for diesel-electric locomotives with the American Locomotive Company. In 1956 the GE Universal Series of diesel locomotives was founded for the export market. The U25B was the first attempt at the domestic market since its termination of the agreement with Alco.
"St Louis San Francisco GE U25B 807" by Digital Rail Artist is marked with CC0 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/?ref=openverse.
The U25B (nicknamed U-Boat) was the first commercially successful domestic diesel electric road locomotive designed, built, and sold by General Electric after its split with the American Locomotive Company (Alco), a company dating back to the steam era.
"Pennsylvania Railroad GE U25B 2605" by Digital Rail Artist is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/?ref=openverse.
The U25B was announced by General Electric as a domestic model on April 26, 1960. It was the first locomotive powered by GE's highly successful FDL-16 engine.
"Erie Lackawanna GE U25B 2504" by Digital Rail Artist is marked with CC0 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/?ref=openverse.
The U-Boat put GE on the road to becoming the top locomotive producer in the U.S., much to the chagrin of EMD. It introduced many innovations to the U.S. diesel locomotive market, including a pressurized car body and a centralized air processing system that provided filtered air to the engine and electrical cabinet, thus reducing maintenance.
"4/1/75, PC U25B 2643" by OHFalcon72 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.
The U25B was also the highest-horsepower four-axle diesel road locomotive in the U.S. at the time of its introduction, its contemporaries being the GP20 (2,000 HP) and the RS27 (2,400 HP.
"RI 202, GE U25B; Silvis, IL; December 1963" by San Diego Model Railroad Museum is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.
The GE U28B diesel-electric locomotive model replaced the U25B in early 1966, featuring a slightly uprated prime mover (300 HP more power than the U25B). Early units had the same car body styling as the U25B, while later units had design features (shortened nose) more in common with later models. After only a year of production, this model was superseded by the U30B.

The PC operated five U28Bs, two from the NYC and three leased from the P&LE which were built on U25B frames. 
"8/3/77, P&LE U28B 2810" by OHFalcon72 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.
The GE U30B was a diesel-electric locomotive produced by GE Transportation between 1966 and 1975. It was a further development of the U28B, with a 3,000 HP 16-cylinder prime mover. The U30B competed with the EMD GP40 and the ALCO Century 430, but was not as successful as the GE U30C.

PC U30B 2871 is one of sixty inherited from the New York Central (2830-2889). All were assigned to Selkirk for maintenance.
"12/74, PC U30B 2871" by OHFalcon72 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.

The GE U33B is a diesel-electric locomotive that was offered by GE in 1966, featuring a 16-cylinder motor. The NYC bought two and the PC later purchased eighty one.

U33B 2943 is one of sixty six U33Bs (2890-2955) ordered by the Penn Central in late 1968. In 1970 the PC picked up another fifteen U33Bs (2956-2970) from a cancelled Rock Island order. All were assigned to Selkirk for maintenance.
"11/12/76, CR U33B 2943" by OHFalcon72 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.
The four axle B-Boats above derived their railfan nicknames from their six axle big brother U-Boats to help distinguish between the two. Below we have a U33C and U25C in late 1976. Notice the leaves in the radiator of the lead unit.
"11/12/76, CR U33C 6551" by OHFalcon72 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.
Model Information
The older non flywheel U30B motor is a fast runner and is not compatible with the gold flywheel motors in the U28Bs. This unit basically sat in the box unless I swapped shells with one of the other B-Boats.
A recent purchase of five used six axle Athearn BB gold flywheel motors along with the six Cargill covered hoppers reported in the prior post moved the project to upgrade the NYC/PC U28B-U30B blue box fleet forward.
Using A-Line Couplings I was able to install the Athearn six axle motor into the four axle U-Boat. DC has its advantages for these motor swaps!
The Four B-Boats look good consisted together for the first time.
The B-Boats make their first revenue run.
After dropping their train at North Side Yard newly repowered 2857 couples up to the transfer caboose for the ride home.
The 2822 leads the caboose hop back to Terminal Yard.
With most of the U-Boats and B-Boats assigned to Selkirk as their maintenance base having them as frequent visitors to Terminal Yard makes sense to me. The newly repowered U28B-U30B consist is joined by the remainder of my U-Boat, B-Boat fleet at Terminal Yard.
Four Bachmann Plus B23-7s that I painted and lettered as NYC U30Bs in June, 2011 and PC U33Bs in September 2023.
The two NYC units have been in the fleet and earning revenue for thirteen years.
Athearn BB PC 6557 was the only U-Boat with the red "P". I used some modelers license for this project from around 2017 using a  U28C shell in lieu of a U33C shell. The U33C fleet was split between Selkirk, (6540-6548) and Buckeye (6549-6563). 
The Athearn BB U33C 6554 is another unit I painted and lettered using a U28C shell in 2017. The middle unit is the 6533, a factory painted U28C that I purchased from Caboose Hobbies in Denver well over twenty years ago.
PRR U30C 6539 is a factory painted Athearn BB U30C that has been in the combined fleet for over twenty years.
U25C 6500 is a Rivarossi non powered unit that I received as a gift in 2018. The PRR purchased twenty U25Cs in 1965. All were assigned to Selkirk for maintenance.
Athearn BB PC U23Cs 6710 and 6718 were added to the PC fleet for yard power at Selkirk and Terminal Yard respectively. The PC purchased nineteen(19) U23Cs in late 1970. 6700-6703 were assigned to Buffalo, 6704-6709 were assigned to Enola and 6710-6718 were assigned to Selkirk for maintenance.
The Empire Belt added Athearn U23Cs 6719 and 6720 for yard power and transfer service at the same time as the PC. All U23Cs were originally painted and lettered by the Patti O Paint Shop in 2017 as U30Cs and later renumbered as U23Cs in 2019 which was more realistic for my needs.
B-Boats in Action!!!
Other Re-Motor Projects
B&O F7A Back to the Shop
I attempted to replace the motor in this old Athearn BB F7A but was unsuccessful. 
I swapped a six axle motor with a four axle version in one of the PC U28Bs but it wasn't even close to fitting in the space provided.
Amtrak 503 Rides Again!
Athearn BB SDP40F 503 received a new six axle motor. The original was balky and I thought I had it fixed but after sitting several days the motor wouldn't turn unless I nudged the flywheel. This was a simple drop in replacement.

Final Thoughts & Comments
The five six axle gold flywheel motors originally believed to be a mix of four and six axle motors were purchased for $25.00 with free shipping. They have been more than worth that price. In fact this was another offer I couldn't refuse!!! 
Thanks for reading and watching!!!
See you soon!!!

Saturday, July 20, 2024

Car Shop Report / Cargill Covered Hoppers

 Greetings All,

Car Shop Report / Cargill Covered Hoppers
In mid June 2024 the NYCTL purchasing department acquired six used Cargill covered hoppers with Kadee #5 couplers and Atlas 36'' metal wheelsets from an online HO scale group member for $25.00 with free shipping. Four are yellow Pullman Standard PS-2 4740 covered hoppers and two are gray PS 4427 covered hoppers

A separate purchase from the same seller for five Athearn BB gold flywheel motors are shown below the covered hoppers and will be reported on in a future post.
Prototype Info
Cargill
Cargill was founded in 1865 as a single grain warehouse in Iowa, when William Wallace (W. W.) Cargill leaves his family home in Janesville, Wisconsin and buys his first grain flat house in the railroad town of Conover, Iowa. W. W. will be joined by two of his younger brothers, Sam and Sylvester, and together they expand the business that will one day revolutionize the way commodities are moved.
"Cargill grain elevator and terminal" by No machine-readable author provided. Kelly Martin assumed (based on copyright claims). is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/?ref=openverse.

W. W. Cargill follows the expansion of the railroads west, erecting his first elevator and setting up headquarters in Albert Lea, Minnesota. With new features like conveyor systems and multiple floors, elevators offer farmers new flexibility in storing and selling their crops. In 1875, W. W. moves the Cargill family and headquarters to regional commerce hub of La Crosse, Wisconsin.
"Cargill Superior grain elevator" by amerune is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.

As the railroads continue to expand, the brothers, now including James, experiment with vertical integration, founding a farm and buying more grain elevators. By pairing novel storage capabilities with emerging transportation possibilities, they plant the seeds for what Cargill will become: a connector across the global supply chain helping their customers achieve sustainable growth
"Brad Freden en Schreiber y Cargill" by U.S. Embassy Montevideo is marked with CC0 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/?ref=openverse.

Pullman Standard
During the 1960s, railcar builders experimented with covered hopper designs to satisfy the evolving needs of shippers as they moved away from forty-foot box cars to bulk transport railcars. Pullman’s PS-2 design evolution continued in 1966 when the “Low Side” 4427 was replaced with the “High Side” version. The 4427 “High Side” was visually distinctive with its high slope bays and center of gravity, which sped the unloading process of bulk commodities. The “High Side” 4427 included 13 exterior side posts, similar to its sister car design, the PS-2 4740, which had 16 side posts. Both designs were introduced in 1966, and 4427 “High Side” production ended in 1971 after delivery of approximately 12,000 cars.
"ATSF 305120; Class GA-151, 49' Covered 3 Bay Center Flow Hopper Car; Pullman Standard Car Manufacturing Co., 1965; Freight Car; September 1983" by San Diego Model Railroad Museum is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.

The Pullman-Standard PS-2CD 4740 cubic foot covered hopper was produced between 1966 and 1972, and remains in active service today throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico. One of the most distinctive Pullman covered hoppers, this common 100-ton car is used in grain, fertilizer, and other bulk services. With more than 10,000 prototypes placed into service
"Covered Hopper, Rock Island" by Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D. is marked with CC0 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/?ref=openverse.

TLDX 7615 and TLDX 7410 look to be factory painted Athearn BB models of the Pullman Standard PS-2 4740 16 post covered hoppers. All the Cargill cars came lightly weathered which was nice. The TLDX reporting marks are for Pullman Transport Leasing. PS delivered 330 of these cars to Cargill in 1967 numbered 7227-7556. 
TLCX 30591 and TLCX 30642 are custom painted ex B&O Athearn BB models. The TLCX reporting marks are also for Pullman Transport Leasing. 
TLDX 2506 and TLDX 2514 are Walthers models in an earlier paint scheme. Pullman Standard delivered twenty five of these PS 4427 low side cars to Cargill in 1963-1964. 
The new Cargill covered hoppers join TLDX 7241 that is used in PCCM service.
Testing the cars against the Kadee Height gauge I found they were just a bit low for use on the layout. I added some Kadee red and gray washers to the bolsters and inside the coupler boxes as needed to  eliminate the vertical coupler slop and raise the cars slightly.
The Kadee 36" metal wheels are ribbed back which were outlawed for interchange during the time frame of these models. According to research by Bob Cosgrove featured in the NYCHS Headlight magazine; As of January 1st, 1958 cast iron wheels were banned from new and rebuilt cars, From January 1st, 1964 no new cast iron wheels were allowed on existing cars, and from January 1st, 1968 all cast iron wheels were banned from interchange.
No worries and no additional costs incurred to correct that using the Proto 2000 36" metal wheelsets from some blue box HW models.
The seven Cargill covered hoppers are now ready for movement from Terminal Yard to the Cargill Facility in Empire City.
The Cargill covered hoppers make their first call at the Empire City Cargill Facility.
The covered hoppers get shoved into the Cargill siding.
An aerial view of the Cargill string of hoppers being spotted at their facility. 
A grain elevator in an urban setting offers challenges with vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
TLDX 2506 looking good as it temporarily blocks the vehicle entrance to Gervais Pipe & Fitting while the thru traffic is able to flow freely.
Final Thoughts and Comments
To quote the Godfather, Don Corleone, the six cars with metal wheelsets and Kadee couplers for $25.00 total was an offer I couldn't refuse!!! Having a Cargill plant on the layout cemented the deal for me and I am more than happy to add them to the fleet.
Additional Links
Cargill History
TLDX 7419 Houston, Texas. June 04, 1974.
TLDX 7295 Pullman Standard Photo 1967
TLDX 2506 Pullman Standard Photo 1964
TLDX 2514 Pullman Standard Photo 1964

Thanks for reading!!!
See you soon!!!

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Locomotive Spotlight #3-2024 / Meatball Or Toaster?

 Greetings All,
Locomotive Spotlight #3-2024
EMD AEM-7
Is it a Meatball or Toaster?
Welcome to another post in the ongoing locomotive spotlight series. Today the spotlight shines on the EMD AEM-7 electric locomotive colloquially know as a "Swedish Meatball" based on its heritage or a "Toaster" based on its appearance. 

The EMD AEM-7 is a twin-cab four-axle 7,000 hp (5.2 MW) B-B electric locomotive built by Electro-Motive Division (EMD) and ASEA between 1978 and 1988. The locomotive is a derivative of the Swedish SJ Rc4 designed for passenger service in the United States. The primary customer was Amtrak, which bought 54 for use on the Northeast Corridor and Keystone Corridor. Two commuter operators, MARC and SEPTA, also purchased locomotives, for a total of 65.
"Amtrak ASEA AEM-7 AMTK 924" by N Stjerna is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.
Replacing a Legend
Amtrak ordered the AEM-7 after the failure of the GE E60 locomotive. The first locomotives entered service in 1980 and were an immediate success, ending a decade of uncertainty on the Northeast Corridor. In the late 1990s, Amtrak rebuilt 29 of its locomotives from DC to AC traction. The locomotives continued operating through the arrival of the final Siemens ACS-64 in June 2016. MARC retired its fleet in April 2017 in favor of Siemens Chargers, and SEPTA retired all seven of its AEM-7s in November 2018 in favor of ACS-64s.
"AEM-7 in Wilmington" by GG-1 K4s is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/?ref=openverse.
Operation on the electrified portion of the Northeast Corridor was split between the Budd Metroliner electric multiple units and PRR GG1 locomotives. The latter were over 35 years old and restricted to 85 mph.
"Amtrak No 904" by Tim_kd5urs is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.
Amtrak sought a replacement, but no US manufacturer offered an electric passenger locomotive. Importing and adapting a European locomotive would require a three-year lead time. With few other options, Amtrak turned to GE to adapt the E60C freight locomotive for passenger service. GE delivered two models, the E60CP and the E60CH. However, the locomotives proved unsuitable for speeds above 90 mph, leaving Amtrak once again in need of a permanent solution.
"amtrak e60 970" by Slideshow Bruce is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/?ref=openverse.
Amtrak then examined existing European high-speed designs, and two were imported for trials in 1976–77: the Swedish SJ Rc4 (Amtrak No. X995, SJ No. 1166), and the French SNCF Class CC 21000 (Amtrak No. X996, SNCF No. 21003). Amtrak favored the Swedish design, which became the basis for the AEM-7.
"AEM-7 New York" by Albert Koch is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.
The AEM-7 was far smaller than its predecessors, the PRR GG1 and the GE E60. It measured 51' 1+25⁄32" long by 10' 2" wide, and stood 14' tall, a decrease in length of over 20'. The AEM-7's weight was half that of the E60CP or the GG1. On its introduction it was the "smallest and lightest high horsepower locomotive in North America." The Budd Company manufactured the car bodies for the initial Amtrak order, while the Austrian firm Simmering-Graz-Pauker built the car bodies for the MARC and SEPTA orders.
"MARC AEM-7" by Madbuster75 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.
Revenue service began on May 9, 1980, when No. 901 departed Washington Union Station with a Metroliner service. The Swedish influence led to the nickname "Meatball", after Swedish meatballs. Railfans nicknamed the boxy locomotives "toasters". Between 1980 and 1982, 47 AEM-7s (Nos. 900–946) went into service. Amtrak retired the last of its PRR GG1s on May 1, 1981, while most of the GE E60s were sold to other operators. The new locomotives swiftly proved themselves; Car and Locomotive Cyclopedia stated that no new locomotive since the New York Central Hudson had "such an impact on speeds and schedule performance."
"File:Perryville Amtrak bridge.jpg" by Bruce Fingerhood from Springfield, Oregon, US is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.
This strong performance led to further orders. Amtrak added seven more locomotives in 1987, delivered in 1988, for a total of 54. Two commuter operators in the Northeast ordered AEM-7s. MARC ordered four in 1986 for use on its Penn Line service on the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., and Perryville, Maryland. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) ordered seven in 1987.
"SEPTA AEM7 2305 (Trenton, NJ)" by Transporter_Not_Statham is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/?ref=openverse.
Amtrak also used the AEM-7s to handle the Keystone Service on the Keystone Corridor between Harrisburg and Philadelphia as the Budd Metroliners, displaced from the Northeast Corridor, reached the end of their service lives.
Refurbishment
In 1999, Amtrak and Alstom began a remanufacturing program for Amtrak's AEM-7s. Alstom supplied AC propulsion equipment, electrical cabinets, transformers, HEP, and cab displays. The rebuild provided Amtrak with locomotives that had improved high end tractive effort and performance with longer trains. Amtrak workers performed the overhauls under Alstom supervision at Amtrak's shop in Wilmington, Delaware. These remanufactured AEM-7s were designated AEM-7AC. Between 1999 and 2002, Amtrak rebuilt 29 of its AEM-7s.
"Marching On" by jpmueller99 is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.

End of the Line
As the locomotives passed 30 years of service their operators made plans for replacements. In 2010, Amtrak ordered 70 Siemens ACS-64 locomotives to replace both the AEM-7s and the newer but unreliable Bombardier/Alstom HHP-8s. The ACS-64s began entering revenue service in February 2014. The last two active AEM-7s, Amtrak Nos. 942 and 946, made their final runs on June 18, 2016, on a special farewell excursion that ran between Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.
"AEM-7" by Doug Letterman is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.

The Model
My Amtrak AEM-7 is a DC powered unnumbered Atlas red box model in the Amtrak Phase III paint scheme. This was a used purchase in May 2024 from my Local Hobby Shop, Trainmaster Models in Auburn, GA. It may be used but it is in like new condition!!
After twenty years of kicking myself for not buying one when they were originally offered I finally found an Amtrak AEM-7 for a reasonable price.
Amtrak E60 #951 checks out the new kid on the block which will be its replacement.
Ex PRR GG1 #4935 tows E60 #951, which was to have replaced it in service, in a rescue job. The 4935, nicknamed "Blackjack" is preserved at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.
An AEM-7 powered Amfleet train takes on passengers at Empire City Station.
In mid June 2024 the unnumbered model became Amtrak 911. I still need to search my decal stash for the side numbers with were black and fit into the white stripe.

The AEM-7 in Action
Final Thoughts and Comments
Around 2002 a friend from New York who was an avid railfan and an O scale modeler gave me an Atlas MARC AEM-7 to break in for him on my layout. The unit ran silky smooth and I was very impressed with it. He offered to sell it to me for a very reasonable price but I declined thinking I'd never run a MARC unit and instead looked for an Amtrak unit. Unfortunately they were commanding much higher prices so I never bought one.
Over the next twenty years I periodically kept my eye out for an Amtrak AEM-7 and 22 years later finally added one to my locomotive stable. The Amtrak unit runs as silky smooth as that MARC units did 22 years ago! To say I am very pleased with this purchase is a big under statement.
Additional Sources
Atlas AEM-7 / APL-44 2014 Re release

Amtrak AEM-7 #911 Thru The Years
Amtrak AEM-7 #911. 09/27/1985

Thanks for reading and watching!!
See you soon!!!