choochooloco
E-Units On The OCS
The title is quite a stretch, I know! While the letter E is in the model designation, it is certainly no E-unit. In all honesty, it is not even close to that class, on so many levels.
So, let's begin the discussion. There has been much banter among photographers surrounding the assignment of the SD60Es to the Office Car fleet. Everyone in our hobby has an opinion, so allow me to weigh in from a different perspective.
First and foremost, I was devastated when I learned that Norfolk Southern had put our gorgeous A-B-B-A set of F-units up for sale. They were beautiful locomotives in every way. After what would be the first of many trips behind the throttle, I became one these quartets biggest fans. But my love of covered wagons, arguably the most handsome face to come out of Lagrange, started three decades earlier.
As a little guy sitting track side with my dad in the 70s, I became enamored with E and F-units. They were common leaders in Penn Central days. At that point in the locomotive's life, they were running out their last miles. Albeit their paint was peeling and doors were open for ventilation, but they still looked so sleek.
Then along came Amtrak and Conrail. The Lake Shore Limited had a mix of E8s and E9s for several years. Some looked battered, much like the PC units, while others showed up glistening fresh from repainting. Variety abounded in nose lighting, portholes, roof beacons, and horns.
The formation of Conrail brought covered wagons from foreigner Erie Lackawanna onto the water level route. The EL shop forces took pride in maintaining the fleet and it showed. The paint still looked good and the engine sounded even better. It was common to see four EL E-9s on intermodal trains stopping to change crews in Toledo. Watching them throttle up, hell bent for either Chicago or Cleveland, was a symphony for the ears.
With the popular face of our Office Car Special gone, I pondered what the future would bring to this train set. My first choice as power would have been units from the Heritage fleet. Turns out that I was not alone, as the first OCS trips without the Fs utilized them.
Fast forward to my next OCS on the Dearborn Division. My lead unit was the Penn Central Heritage unit followed by two cars. A far cry from the four handsome tuxedo dressed locomotives pulling 14 business cars. To make matters worse, the paint on 1073 was peeling in several places. Oh how the mighty have fallen!
Like all of you, I was not excited to learn that the SD60Es were replacement power for my beloved F-units. Back in my college days, one of my favorite professors made a comment that has helped me through some difficult times. He eloquently said "You cannot be rational when you are emotional."
So after a lengthy time-out ( like several days), I returned to the subject and reevaluated my feelings. While not the most aesthetically pleasing, the SD60Es are great runners. Next to the FP/F45s, they probably have the largest cabs of any locomotive in service. And they are geared for 79mph!
For a freight engineer who runs 60mph day in and day out, being able to cover a mile in 46 seconds is a no brainer! Faster the better. As Ricky Bobby famously stated in Talladega Nights "I missed you Mama Speed!"
For those of you who are not aware, the as built SD60 units receive multiple enhancements while proceeding through the rebuild program, including major electrical upgrades. The biggest change is the replacement of the original standard cab with the crash worthy Crescent Cab. The result...an SD60E.
An EMD product, any model, is the only locomotives that should be used in passenger service. They are an engineer's engine, loading when needed not seconds later. General Electric makes a great freight engine, but they are not properly suited for use on a passenger train. My apologies in advance to any GE employee or Amtrak engineer, just my opinion.
On the mainline, the 7034 and 7035 performed better than I expected at 79mph...no mechanical issues at all. They were freshly washed, which made the paint shine. And the K-5s on the 7034 had fantastic tone!
At this time, I would like to weigh in and share my opinion as a locomotive engineer and a lifelong railfan. After reading comments and speaking with some friends, it was obvious that the foaming community was not overly excited as a whole regarding the OCS replacement power.
Indeed, it is a shame that the F-units were sold and gone. Accept it and move on!
And yes, it is true that the SD60Es are certainly not in the same class as the elegant and graceful F-units. Accept it and move on!
Outside of the commuter carriers across the country, where can you go to see former freight locomotives pass by at passenger speeds? NS has a pair of locomotives, a unique model not rostered by any other carrier, in a position to move the Office Car Special at 79mph.
Say what you want, good or bad, but I am excited to see dedicated power assigned to this service. Whether I am sitting in the engineer's seat or not, seeing a 79mph passenger train pass by and owned by a freight railroad is extraordinary!
No one knows what the future has planned, but change is inevitable. Maybe one day this pair will wear the colors of the cars it hauls.
Now we're talking!
E Units On The OCS
Ashland Avenue
May 19, 2021
E-Units On The OCS
The title is quite a stretch, I know! While the letter E is in the model designation, it is certainly no E-unit. In all honesty, it is not even close to that class, on so many levels.
So, let's begin the discussion. There has been much banter among photographers surrounding the assignment of the SD60Es to the Office Car fleet. Everyone in our hobby has an opinion, so allow me to weigh in from a different perspective.
First and foremost, I was devastated when I learned that Norfolk Southern had put our gorgeous A-B-B-A set of F-units up for sale. They were beautiful locomotives in every way. After what would be the first of many trips behind the throttle, I became one these quartets biggest fans. But my love of covered wagons, arguably the most handsome face to come out of Lagrange, started three decades earlier.
As a little guy sitting track side with my dad in the 70s, I became enamored with E and F-units. They were common leaders in Penn Central days. At that point in the locomotive's life, they were running out their last miles. Albeit their paint was peeling and doors were open for ventilation, but they still looked so sleek.
Then along came Amtrak and Conrail. The Lake Shore Limited had a mix of E8s and E9s for several years. Some looked battered, much like the PC units, while others showed up glistening fresh from repainting. Variety abounded in nose lighting, portholes, roof beacons, and horns.
The formation of Conrail brought covered wagons from foreigner Erie Lackawanna onto the water level route. The EL shop forces took pride in maintaining the fleet and it showed. The paint still looked good and the engine sounded even better. It was common to see four EL E-9s on intermodal trains stopping to change crews in Toledo. Watching them throttle up, hell bent for either Chicago or Cleveland, was a symphony for the ears.
With the popular face of our Office Car Special gone, I pondered what the future would bring to this train set. My first choice as power would have been units from the Heritage fleet. Turns out that I was not alone, as the first OCS trips without the Fs utilized them.
Fast forward to my next OCS on the Dearborn Division. My lead unit was the Penn Central Heritage unit followed by two cars. A far cry from the four handsome tuxedo dressed locomotives pulling 14 business cars. To make matters worse, the paint on 1073 was peeling in several places. Oh how the mighty have fallen!
Like all of you, I was not excited to learn that the SD60Es were replacement power for my beloved F-units. Back in my college days, one of my favorite professors made a comment that has helped me through some difficult times. He eloquently said "You cannot be rational when you are emotional."
So after a lengthy time-out ( like several days), I returned to the subject and reevaluated my feelings. While not the most aesthetically pleasing, the SD60Es are great runners. Next to the FP/F45s, they probably have the largest cabs of any locomotive in service. And they are geared for 79mph!
For a freight engineer who runs 60mph day in and day out, being able to cover a mile in 46 seconds is a no brainer! Faster the better. As Ricky Bobby famously stated in Talladega Nights "I missed you Mama Speed!"
For those of you who are not aware, the as built SD60 units receive multiple enhancements while proceeding through the rebuild program, including major electrical upgrades. The biggest change is the replacement of the original standard cab with the crash worthy Crescent Cab. The result...an SD60E.
An EMD product, any model, is the only locomotives that should be used in passenger service. They are an engineer's engine, loading when needed not seconds later. General Electric makes a great freight engine, but they are not properly suited for use on a passenger train. My apologies in advance to any GE employee or Amtrak engineer, just my opinion.
On the mainline, the 7034 and 7035 performed better than I expected at 79mph...no mechanical issues at all. They were freshly washed, which made the paint shine. And the K-5s on the 7034 had fantastic tone!
At this time, I would like to weigh in and share my opinion as a locomotive engineer and a lifelong railfan. After reading comments and speaking with some friends, it was obvious that the foaming community was not overly excited as a whole regarding the OCS replacement power.
Indeed, it is a shame that the F-units were sold and gone. Accept it and move on!
And yes, it is true that the SD60Es are certainly not in the same class as the elegant and graceful F-units. Accept it and move on!
Outside of the commuter carriers across the country, where can you go to see former freight locomotives pass by at passenger speeds? NS has a pair of locomotives, a unique model not rostered by any other carrier, in a position to move the Office Car Special at 79mph.
Say what you want, good or bad, but I am excited to see dedicated power assigned to this service. Whether I am sitting in the engineer's seat or not, seeing a 79mph passenger train pass by and owned by a freight railroad is extraordinary!
No one knows what the future has planned, but change is inevitable. Maybe one day this pair will wear the colors of the cars it hauls.
Now we're talking!
E Units On The OCS
Ashland Avenue
May 19, 2021