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| PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 (1540785) | |
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| (1540785) | |
PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by kp5308 on Sat Mar 14 18:14:19 2020 A handshake agreement made 20 years ago was fulfilled when an SW1200 made a trip from Stockton CA to Hamburg PA. Back in 2000 Reading Tech Archivist Rick Bates & David Arganbright (now VP for Government Affairs for OmniTrax) had a discussion on various topics. Somewhere in that conversation David told Rick that if the opportunity presented itself he would obtain a Reading locomotive for donation to the Society. On February 15th ex-Reading SW1200 #2719 left the Stockton Terminal and Eastern via BNSF bound for Chicago and interchange with NS. It passed Galesburg IL on the 24th & got to Elkhart IN the next day. NS didn't move it for some reason until March 1st. The movement drew a bit of a following on the journey east. This is a shot from the Berea OH webcam on the 2nd: The little EMD was dropped off at Allentown on March 5 and went home on H68 to Reading Yard for pick up by Reading and Northern and final movement to the Museum. By the time H68 left Allentown the sun was long gone. I waited at Alburtis until we lost any chance of shooting the move. A wonderful sunset shot was all I got:  Next morning it was sitting in front of the Spring St. Yard office:  Saturday the 7th R&N picked up the engine & brought it to Temple. The plan was to take it to Hamburg once the line was cleared for movement so Duane, Pat & I jumped in the R&N Hi-rail at Hamburg to do an inspection of the railroad. Surprisingly only one tree had to be removed. The line has no traffic except the Museum between Leesport & Hamburg:  Past the Ex-Pennsy station at Shoemakersville:  A sinkhole below the track above Leesport cancelled our plan to move the engine. Now back on active track we rolled down to Cambridge Tube and set off to rubber the last mile to Temple:  The R&N crew waited for us at Temple before putting #678 on the siding in front of the station:  Up the branch they go with the gondola & hopper:  We proceeded to inspect our newest arrival. All batteries were there & appeared well kept. All the series wiring was missing:  We found EMD applied Reading yellow on the inside of the front sandbox lid. The 5 SW1200s were the first switchers delivered in green and yellow. They all left LaGrange in 1963  Some Conrail blue shows through on the walkway. The engine became CR #9319 in 1976. Other owners included Pacific Harbor Lines and the Louisville and Indiana. It stayed blue on the STE till at least 2004:  The waybill was attached to the rear door glass inside the cab:  Unfortunately a Federal court decision prohibited an operational locomotive donation. In order for the donation to happen the prime mover had to be disabled per the court order. This was a long process due to the historical preservation aspect of the transaction despite the motor not being original! A single hole was drilled in the block and identified as non operational:  The sticker identifies the court case (see section P option 2) along with the ID of the locomotive. An annual report must be submitted to the EPA to verify that the diesel has not been started:  The engine sat in Temple until we picked it up this morning. I'll post shots of that move as time allows |
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| (1540787) | |
Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by TransitChuckG on Sat Mar 14 19:01:31 2020, in response to PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1, posted by kp5308 on Sat Mar 14 18:14:19 2020. Oh, my! Too bad! |
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| (1540793) | |
Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by kp5308 on Sat Mar 14 21:21:14 2020, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1, posted by TransitChuckG on Sat Mar 14 19:01:31 2020. What is too bad Chuck? |
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| (1540794) | |
Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by Dave on Sat Mar 14 22:19:26 2020, in response to PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1, posted by kp5308 on Sat Mar 14 18:14:19 2020. Sucks that the engine had to be permanently disabled like that. Makes restoration that much more expensive and difficult. |
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| (1540800) | |
Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by Jersey Mike on Sun Mar 15 03:46:28 2020, in response to PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1, posted by kp5308 on Sat Mar 14 18:14:19 2020. Can you swap the engine out for another 567? |
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| (1540801) | |
Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by Jersey Mike on Sun Mar 15 03:49:53 2020, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1, posted by Dave on Sat Mar 14 22:19:26 2020. Not really, 567 blocks are all over the place if the handicap applies to the particular engine that was disabled and not some definition of the locomotive frame.I say block because most engines are defined by the blocks, so stripping the old block of all the usable parts and putting it in a different block would create a new functioning engine. |
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| (1540802) | |
Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by Bill West on Sun Mar 15 05:39:42 2020, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1, posted by Jersey Mike on Sun Mar 15 03:46:28 2020. To reduce the pollution of old but in-service vehicle engines the EPA is subsidizing the purchase of complete replacement vehicles. Upgrading engines is costly and waiting for chassis wear out to justify the cost would take too long. To prevent people from taking this subsidy to get new vehicles and then the auto wrecker defeating the pollution reduction by selling the key pieces, the old frame must be cut and the engine drilled to prevent either from being resurrected. For our switcher I take it that something has been worked out in view of its museum piece destiny. Google "EPA drill hole in engine block" .Bill |
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Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by Bill West on Sun Mar 15 06:05:51 2020, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1, posted by Bill West on Sun Mar 15 05:39:42 2020. I should have said "subsidizing" at GM's expense.Bill |
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| (1540813) | |
Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by TransitChuckG on Sun Mar 15 11:59:01 2020, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1, posted by kp5308 on Sat Mar 14 21:21:14 2020. The hole in the engine block. |
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| (1540827) | |
Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by Jersey Mike on Sun Mar 15 16:10:56 2020, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1, posted by Bill West on Sun Mar 15 05:39:42 2020. There is actually a brisk business in upgrading cab end switchers, so I would think that the EPA would look to get the old engine scrapped, as opposed to road vehicles where engine swaps aren't really a thing. |
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| (1540828) | |
Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by https://salaamallah.com/ on Sun Mar 15 18:04:32 2020, in response to PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1, posted by kp5308 on Sat Mar 14 18:14:19 2020. EXCELLENT PHOTO |
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| (1540834) | |
Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by kp5308 on Sun Mar 15 21:16:09 2020, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1, posted by Jersey Mike on Sun Mar 15 03:49:53 2020. This is from the OmniTrax press release:STE 678 was replaced last year with a state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly KLW SE10B T4L, EPA Tier-4 compliant locomotive delivering 1,050 HP from an MTU 2000 V12 prime mover built by Knoxville Locomotive Works (KLW) in Knoxville, TN. The new locomotive was purchased with the help of a grant from the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Central District (UAPCD). This grant originally required STE 678 be rendered inoperable by destroying the engine block to ensure it would not create future engine emissions. This destruction would have reduced the historical value of this unit, so OmniTRAX's government affairs team and counsel worked with several government constituents to preserve the locomotive and its engine while ensuring that the locomotive would not create future emissions. But lets suppose we needed to swap the trucks with the NW2 so we can continue to operate it. Parts swapping (excluding the prime mover) within the Society's collection is permitted but the sale of parts of any kind to an outside party violates the agreement. There are other changes to the locomotive that render it inoperable but I would need to read the document(s) to obtain specifics. It was the Society's position throughout the negotiation process that we would take the engine as a donation regardless of if it was operational or not. Our main concern was financial which did not become an issue. Externally it is in tremendous condition and fills a void in our collection. |
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| (1540838) | |
Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by Jersey Mike on Mon Mar 16 01:01:46 2020, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1, posted by kp5308 on Sun Mar 15 21:16:09 2020. Yes, as I thought it looks like the EPA cares about the specific engine (aka, the block). While a 567 is more historic than not, they are still a replaceable item. In fact the blocks are probably less valuable than the many parts one needs to keep a 567 running.Swapping the engine with another 12-567 would not significantly damage the historic nature of the SW1200 and would possibly provide for a static engine display or paper weight. Nothing Reading Tech would need to do immediately, but you might want to keep an eye out for back lot 567C/D blocks. |
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Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by Jersey Mike on Mon Mar 16 01:06:23 2020, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1, posted by kp5308 on Sun Mar 15 21:16:09 2020. BTW, late model SW1200's were fitted new from the factory with a 12-567E, which is a 645E block with 567 power assemblies. A 12-645E is the same engine in your new GP39-2. So just FYI, you have options ;-) |
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| (1540841) | |
Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by Bill West on Mon Mar 16 02:02:23 2020, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1, posted by Jersey Mike on Mon Mar 16 01:06:23 2020. You're missing the point Mike, the EPA/GM paid towards a new locomotive to stop the pollution of an old one. Putting a different block in would result in the locomotive resuming polluting. It's not about finding ways to run it again, the legally binding deal went so far and that's it. Read Kevin's link about the hole. The deal was broadly aimed at diesel school busses and appears to have been refined to ensure that operators not let those busses get back on the road in any manner.The deal was not designed for historic preservation and the Reading group has been very fortunate that not only was scrapping of the frame not demanded but the hole in the block was not a cosmetically ugly 3" in a critical place like it became for the busses. Read the school bus program FAQ and the dray truck scrapping guide to appreciate how certain the EPA wants to be on this. Metrolink put the 3" hole in their only F40 and then scrapped it as part of this program. The Reading boys did better. Okay? Bill |
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Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by Jersey Mike on Mon Mar 16 07:04:04 2020, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1, posted by Bill West on Mon Mar 16 02:02:23 2020. Read the press release, the EPA cares about the engine in the same way the ATF cares about a firearm's receiver. The engine block specifically is the regulated component. Notice the EPA sticker is on the engine block, not the locomotive frame.The former owner, Stockton terminal or whatever, didn't want to have to scrap the engine because it would impact the historic value of the engine. That's fine, but 567C engine blocks are not that rare and if one wanted they can use 645E blocks as a replacement and still be period correct. The value of an EMD series diesel engine is not in the block. The block is just a weldment that holds the power assemblies, pistons, value train, crank case, etc. That's the stuff that can actually break and is hard to replace. 567 engines that were made before the 567C, namely the 567, 567V, 567U, 567A or 567B are much more rare and more important to keep mated to the original engine even if not operational. In fact most A's and B's were upgraded to the C standard. |
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| (1540860) | |
Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by Bill West on Mon Mar 16 16:28:34 2020, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1, posted by Jersey Mike on Mon Mar 16 07:04:04 2020. But it's not parts changeability, it's not the EPA's general policies, it's not similar to ATF's general policies, it's the specific instance of money contributed to STE's new locomotive in exchange for ending any operation of their old one. That's come from the specific deal in the EPA/GM settlement cited on the sticker, the one that Kevin's link connects to. My bus and truck links are the EPA's handling of that exact case, it provided for remediation in the school bus, dray truck and local locomotive fields. The busses and trucks didn't get a sticker, they got a scrapping certificate. In the Reading case cooperation allowed the frame to be kept but apparently only so long as the block was marked. Kevin implies the legal issues when he mentions that they can swap the trucks but they can't sell them.I'm just trying to prevent other hobbyists from thinking locomotives obtained as an offshoot of this special program can be subsequently restored to operation. This one is always going to stand out as an exception, the kind where 20 years down the road someone unknowingly fixes the engine up and then finds their club in hot water, likely leading to the scrapping of their nicely preserved locomotive. We mustn't let our technical knowledge forget our legal knowledge. In sum this one is a case of the club having to say the EPA indirectly helped them to get the loco but it was on the specific condition that it never be operated. I looked into the why of the Metrolink F40 case, that's where the bus/truck links made this all clear Bill |
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Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1 |
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Posted by kp5308 on Mon Mar 16 20:24:15 2020, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Reading Switcher Returns Part 1, posted by Jersey Mike on Mon Mar 16 07:04:04 2020. Read the press releaseMike YOU need to read the press release AND the sticker(s). What I read is LOCOMOTIVE. Additionally there is a sticker on the rear cab door that lets anyone entering the cab that the LOCOMOTIVE is for display only and is not to be started. The reason the serial number is included on the labels and the documents is so the COMPLETE LOCOMOTIVE is not used. |
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