MGBRR Shines a Spotlight on some of its locomotive power. Sit back and enjoy these stories and prototype statistics of some of the "members" of our locomotive roster.
Locomotive #: 3002
Road name: Louisville & Nashville
Built by: General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
Model number: GP40
Year built: 1965
Horsepower: 3,000
EMD built 1,221 GP40 units between November 1965 and December 1971. The GP40 features a 16 cylinder engine (model number EMD 645E3). In 1972, the GP40 was discontinued and replaced by the GP40-2, which had an improved electrical system and a few minor exterior cosmetic changes.
EMD's GP40s were quite successful four-axle (B-B) designs that would prove to be the builder's best in 4-axle locomotives. By the time the GP40 and later "Dash 2" models were released, EMD was an established loco builder that knew what railroads wanted and needed, and it hit another grand slam with the GP40 series (it had already been extremely successful with the earlier GP38 and GP38-2 models). The GP40s were not very different from the GP38s and GP38-2s except that they included some technological advances; an additional radiator fan, a turbocharger stack and an extra 1,000 hp (rated at 3,000 hp over the GP38 series 2,000 hp). The GP40 also included features already now common on earlier models such as dynamic braking (a system for temporarily employing traction motors as generators and using the resulting electromotive force to slow the train), and an airtight hood that kept out dust, dirt and other particles from reaching internal components.
The GP40 models were among EMD's most successful second-generation Geeps and like earlier models were exactly what American railroads were looking for in terms of horsepower while also featuring the manufacturers' excellence in quality and reliability.
The GP40s were sold to numerous railroads including Burlington Route, Illinois Central, Louisville & Nashville, New York Central and Union Pacific. This model locomotive was also sold to railroads in Canada and Mexico.
***** Some of this information was gleaned from www.american-rails.com *****
Locomotive #: 5
Road name: MGB
Built by: Lima Locomotive Works
Model number: 80 Ton Shay
Year built: 1906
Horsepower: 2,250
MGB Railroad has managed to save an old 80-ton shay locomotive from going to the foundry. The former Ely-Thomas Lumber Co. Engine No. 2 was bought by MGB Railroad for future use in their planned lumber venture. MGB plans to renovate and repaint the engine with their logo and plan to change the number to 5.
This historic locomotive was originally built by Lima Locomotive Works in 1906 for Enterprise Lumber Co. in Alexandria, LA and was sold around 1913 to Cherry River Boom & Lumber Co. in Richwood, WV. In 1949, it was bought by J. Natwick & Co. and then by F.C. Cook & Co. in 1950, both companies in Alexander, WV. In 1953-1954, it was leased to Beech Mountain RR, also in Alexander, WV. The loco was finally bought in 1954 by the Ely-Thomas Lumber Co. in Fenwick, WV and was retired in 1966.
Locomotive #: 3044
Road name: Chesapeake & Ohio
Built by: General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
Model number: GP30
Year built: 1963
Horsepower: 2,250
EMD built 948 GP30 units between July 1961 and November 1963. The GP30 features a 16 cylinder engine (model number EMD 567D3) and is capable of a maximum speed of 78 miles per hour. This loco weighs in at around 253,000 lbs. The GP30 is easily recognizable due to its high profile and stepped cab roof. The GP30 is known as the first so-called "second generation" diesel. This model was introduced in response to EMD's new competitor General Electric which released its model U25B locomotive at about the same time. EMD wanted the new GP30 locomotive to be visibly modern and updated, so they turned to the GM Automotive Styling Center at Troy, Michigan for help. The automobile stylists created the GP30's trademark "hump" and cab roof profile. The hump-like bulge started at the front of the cab and enveloped the air intakes for the central air system and the dynamic brake blister. Units ordered without dynamic brakes were the same shape, but lacked the intakes to cool the dynamic brake resistor grids.
The GP30s were sold to over 2 dozen railroads including Atlantic Coast Line, Gulf Mobile & Ohio, Louisville & Nashville, Norfolk & Western (high hood version), Seaboard Air Line, Southern (high hood version), Southern Pacific and Union Pacific.
The MGB's GP30 is affectionately known as a "Chessie" engine because of the kitten logo featured on the bright yellow, orange and navy livery. The Chesapeake & Ohio's old slogan was that you could travel on one of their passenger trains and "sleep like a kitten". The public loved the whole ad campaign and the Chessie logo has long-outlived the C&O and its passenger trains. Unit 3044 has been a real work horse since it was constructed in October 1963, but the loco has not had a very exciting history. At one point, it worked along the Baltimore & Ohio's Lorain (Ohio) Branch and served the rather large dock facility on Lake Erie. It was during this stint that the 3044's engineer, Michael "Big Mike" Jones, caught a record (at that time) steelhead trout while the engine was stopped on the trestle over the Black River, which is a tributary of Lake Erie. A picture of Big Mike proudly holding his catch can still be found in the cab of 3044. The plaque underneath the picture notes that the fish was 34" long and weighed 17 lbs. Other than that being involved in that rather humble event, the 3044 has done little to distinguish itself amongst the ranks of its fellow locomotives. Although the loco is owned by the MGB, the company has decided to keep the engine in its popular Chessie paint scheme. This is just another example of MGB's policy to "look to the future while preserving the past".
Locomotive #: 3547
Road name: Baltimore & Ohio
Built by: General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
Model number: GP35
Year built: 1965
Horsepower: 2,500
EMD built 1,333 GP35 units between October 1963 and January 1966. The GP35 features a 16 cylinder engine (model number EMD 567D3A).
The GP35 was sold to quite a few railroads including Alaska Railroad, Baltimore & Ohio, Chesapeake & Ohio, Erie Lackawanna, Gulf Mobile & Ohio, Louisville & Nashville, Missouri Pacific, Norfolk & Western, New York Central, Southern and Union Pacific.
The 3547 is notable for more than one reason. First of all, it happens to be the first diesel locomotive that Harold Ledbetter (editor of MGB's Ledbetter's Ledger) ever set foot upon. Harold likes to tell the story, and will go into great detail if asked about it, but the short version goes like this. Harold went to work for the Baltimore & Ohio back in the late 1960's. He was hired on as a switchman, but he didn't tell anyone that he already had a great deal of knowledge about railroading. He decided to pretend that he was a total rookie. Harold has always has had a good sense of humor and he realized that he could have a great time "messing with other folks' heads". Whenever he was told to "throw that switch", he would reply "How far do you want me to throw it?" or "Throw it, I can't even pick it up!". On another occasion, he was instructed to flag a crossing as number 3547 shoved a cut of cars across a local street and into a seldom used spur track. As the locomotive rolled past Harold, the engineer yelled down at him, "Ledbetter, you stay put while we drop these cars." And as they eased on by, the engineer bellowed, "Climb up on the loco when we pull back up here". Harold waved to him in acknowledgement. Harold waited as he'd been told and when the loco returned, he grabbed hold of the handrail, climbed up the steps and then jumped up on the hood. The engineer and fireman watched in amazement as Harold then clambered up onto the roof of the cab. The engineer applied the brakes and brought the engine to a halt. By this time, the engineer was livid. He started cursing at the top of his lungs. The only thing we can print here is "Ledbetter, what the Sam Hill do you think you're doing?! Get down here pronto!!" Harold climbed down and entered the cab. The engineer was barely able to speak, but said, "Ledbetter, what possessed you to do that?" Harold replied, "You told me that when you returned, I was to climb up on the loco. I did as I was told." The engineer took off his cap, threw it in the floor and proceeded to stomp on it. Harold just stood there and acted as though he couldn't understand the engineer's behavior. Nearby the fireman did his best to keep from "bustin' a gut" laughing at the scene.
In addition, the 3547 was once briefly high-jacked by an over-exuberant hobo who called himself Casey Jones. His real name was Ezekiel Jones, but he fancied himself to be an engineer for most of his adult life. One day, he found the 3547 unoccupied and idling on a siding near Eagle Rock, Virginia. He managed to get the diesel moving, but not before the crew, who had walked across the street for a soft drink, managed to jump back on board. A brief scuffle ensued, but the crew was able to stop the GP35 before any harm was done. The railroad police carted the man off for questioning, but not before he yelled "I told ya'll I could drive a train!"
The MGB purchased this loco from the Chesapeake & Ohio back in 1988. The unit was thoroughly rehabilitated by MGB's shop in 1991, but as is MGB's habit, it was left in the original C&O (Chessie) paint scheme. Since then, the 3547 can be seen in regular freight service along the MGB's tracks. Whenever Harold Ledbetter sees the unit roll by, his mind drifts back to the day when he managed to cause an engineer to stomp on his cap.
Locomotive #: 2500
Road name: CSX
Built by: General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
Model number: GP38-2
Year built: 1973
Horsepower: 2,000
EMD built over 2,200 GP38-2 units between 1972 and 1987. The GP38-2 is an improved version of the GP38. The GP38-2 features a 16 cylinder engine (model number EMD 645) and weighs in at around 250,000 lbs. The "Dash 2s" are visually difficult to distinguish from their cousins the GP38s. The GP38-2 has a cooling water sight glass on the right side of the hood and the battery box covers are bolted down instead of hinged.
GP38-2s were sold to numerous railroads including Burlington Northern, Frisco, Illinois Central, Louisville & Nashville, Seaboard Coast Line, Southern (high hood version) and Southern Pacific. CSX 2500 was originally built for the Seaboard Coast Line as number 500.
The MGB's GP38-2 has had less than a stellar career. It's believed that the frame for this locomotive was first laid on April 13, 1973, which just happened to be a Friday. There was also a full moon that night. Some might say that this loco is cursed. Most railroaders would say that it's a "hoodoo" engine*. The 2500 has been involved in more than a few derailments. Sometimes the accidents have been written off as "track problems" or "excessive speed", but this loco has a real knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. On one notable occasion, the 2500 was the lead unit of a string of three diesels. The crew stopped the locos on a level section of tangent track, in a siding, waiting on a proceed signal. They were "running light" (they had no freight train) back to the yard at Effingham, Illinois. The crew was told that it might be a couple of hours before they were allowed to "get out of the hole" - they had to wait on several southbound freights. They decided to make a quick run to a nearby country store for a soft drink and a pack of crackers. No sooner had they set foot in the store than the 2500 apparently decided that it had waited long enough. The engine's brakes mysteriously released and the trio of engines began to move forward slowly until it derailed when it ran through the switch at the mainline. The crew of the first southbound train saw the wayward engines and the engineer quickly threw his brakes into emergency. The southbound stopped, but only after hitting the 2500 and knocking it over on its side. The 2500's crew was suspended for a week, but unofficially, everyone knew it was "that hoodoo engine again". The 2500 is currently on lease to the MGB, but CSX is hoping that the MGB will eventually decide to purchase this troubled loco.
*hoodoo engine - a locomotive that is jinxed or seems to have a mind of its own, usually leading to numerous (and sometimes serious) problems. Ever since there have been trains, there have been so-called hoodoo locomotives. Present day hoodoo locomotives have been known to start and stop mysteriously, derail for no apparent reason and lose electrical power when all systems report "no problem". The worst of the hoodoo engines seem bent on destroying themselves, along with everyone and everything around them. Railroaders can be a superstitious lot and once an engine is deemed to be a "hoodoo", there is little that management can do to change that.
Locomotive #: 661
Road name: Gulf Mobile & Ohio
Built by: Alco
Model number: S1
Year built: 1940
Horsepower: 660
Alco constructed 540 S1 switchers between April 1940 and June 1950. The S1 features Alco's own "Blunt" trucks, which were designed by Alco's chief engineer, James G. Blunt. The S1 can be distinguished from its more powerful (1000 hp) siblings, the S2 and S4, by its smaller exhaust stack. The smaller stack is because the S1 is not turbocharged. Also, the S1's radiator shutter (located on the side near the loco's nose) is taller than it is wide, while the S2 and S4 models have wider shutters. The S1 was sold to an extensive list of railroads including the Louisville & Nashville, the New York Central and the Pennsylvania Railroad.
The MGB's S1 has served a long and admirable career. After a number of years working on the GM&O in the St. Louis area, it was sold to the Inland Steel Corporation. Inland renumbered the loco to number 61 and used it at the company's Indiana Harbor plant. In 1992, the S1 was again sold, this time to Proctor & Gamble. P&G renumbered the loco to 10 and used it extensively at its pet food plant in Aurora, Nebraska. By this time, the little switcher looked like it had been "ridden hard and put up wet". P&G decided to scrap the S1 in April 2006, citing "the rising cost of keeping a relic rolling". But thanks to J. W. "Spike" Bentley's (MGB superintendent) connections, the S1 was saved from the cutting torch. The MGB paid P&G the salvage value of the unit. Mr. Bentley was tickled to find an S1 still intact and P&G was glad to see it go. The switcher was "deadheaded" by rail from Nebraska to the MGB's Bardstown yard. The switcher was then given extensive structural, mechanical and electrical rehab by the MGB's shop forces and returned to its original GM&O paint scheme and number. These days, the S1, now once again proudly bearing the number 661, can be seen shoving and pulling cars in and around Muleshoe.
Locomotive #: 741
Road name: Gulf Mobile & Ohio
Built by: American Locomotive Company
Model number: FA1
Year built: 1949
Horsepower: 1500
The American Locomotive Company (ALCO) built 1,354 FA units between January 1946 and May 1959. The locomotives were of a cab unit design, and both cab-equipped lead (A unit) FA and cabless booster (B unit) FB models were built.
The FA has the same distinctive styling as its larger cousin, the ALCO PA, with a long, straight nose tipped by a headlight in a square, slitted grille, raked windshields, and trim pieces behind the cab windows that lengthened and sleekened the lines. As with the PA, the overall design owed much to the Fairbanks-Morse Erie-built design, which had been constructed by ALCO's sales partner General Electric (GE) at their Erie, Pennsylvania, plant. GE's industrial designer Ray Patten styled the FA and FB, and many believe it likely that he took drawings of the Erie-built loco as a starting point, lengthening and squaring the nose and giving it a more aggressive look. The majority of FA components were compatible with the PA.
The FAs were sold to railroads including Gulf Mobile & Ohio, Missouri Pacific, New York Central and Union Pacific.
The MGB owns the FA #741 (cab unit) as well as an FB (cabless booster). The two units were purchased by Gulf Mobile & Ohio in 1949 and were quickly placed into freight service, working the busy section between Mobile, Alabama and Meridian, Mississippi. The pair of ALCO units quietly served the GM&O for many years. Their only claim to fame was on the occasion they were called upon to pull a VIP passenger train. While running for re-election, President Dwight D. Eisenhower's train traveled upon the GM&O's tracks. The 741 A&B units had just been rehabilitated and re-painted and looked like brand new. The two units were used to pull Eisenhower's train from Meridian to New Orleans where "Ike" was greeted by a large and enthusiastic crowd. He spoke to the gathering from the rear of the sleeper/observation car "Gulfport". Most notably during his speech President Eisenhower noted, "Although travel by airplane is faster, I really do enjoy traveling by train. It allows me to rub elbows with my fellow Americans."
The MGB often uses the two "Fs" in freight and passenger (excursion) service. Occasionally, when asked, management will allow rail enthusiasts to ride in the cab of the FA1. These days, although parts are difficult to find, the old ALCOs still look good and run well.
Locomotive #: 751
Road name: Louisville & Nashville
Built by: General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
Model number: E6A
Year built: 1942
Horsepower: 2,000
Locomotive number 751 is an E6A and was built by EMD in September 1942. It was one of 92 units of this model that EMD produced and was one of the last of this model off of the assembly line. This loco is equipped with "A1A-A1A" trucks which means there are two identical trucks, or wheel assemblies under the unit. The "A1A" designation means that each truck has one powered axle, one idler axle (in the center), and then another powered axle. This was to more evenly spread the weight of the locomotive over the track.
The L&N used this unit to pull numerous passenger trains. At any given time, the "E" could be found pulling one of the L&N's "big name" trains including The Humming Bird, The Pan-American or The Dixie Flyer.
Later on, the L&N used the 751 to haul freight trains. While not as glamorous a job as its earlier duties, the "E" performed well in this duty and distinguished itself by having few mechanical or electrical problems.
Locomotive #: 1995
Road name: MGBRR
Built by: General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
Model number: F7A
Year built: 1949
Horsepower: 1500
EMD constructed its F7 locomotives between February 1949 and December 1953. Although originally promoted as a freight-hauling unit by EMD, the F7 was also used in passenger service, where it set a new standard for performance and reliability hauling such trains as the Santa Fe's El Capitan. The F7 features an AAR wheel arrangement known as "B-B", which signifies two powered axles in a row. A total of 2,366 cab-equipped lead A-units and 1,483 "cabless" booster B-units were built. The F7 is distinguishable from the later F9 by having four, rather than five, carbody center louver groups covering the carbody filters.
The MGB's F7 number 1995 was built in April 1949 and originally was used by EMD as demonstrator # 801 (along with B unit # 802). After several months of touring across the country, the two units were sold to the Great Northern where they were re-numbered as 272A and 272B respectively and painted in the railroad's Big Sky Blue scheme. The two units served the GN well for a number of years, working in and around the Grand Fork, North Dakota area. Unfortunately, the B unit met an untimely demise in a derailment sometime in the late 1950's. It was deemed to be too heavily damaged to be repaired and was sent to the scrap yard. In 1962, 272A was sold to the Louisville & Nashville and renumbered once again, this time as 849. The L&N worked the loco hard, hauling heavy freights between Louisville, Kentucky and Montgomery, Alabama. The unit was retired not long after the L&N merged with the Seaboard Coast Line to form the "Family Lines". The old F unit was destined for the scrap yard but was bought by an anonymus millionaire who happened to also be a railfan. After the millionaire's demise, his estate sold the F7A to the MGB. After extensive rehabilitation and repair, the MGB decided to make this the first unit to be painted in the railroad's own scheme and re-numbered it as unit number 1995, which was the year the MGB Railroad was established.
Locomotive #: 2006
Road name: MGBRR
Built by: General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
Model number: F7A
Year built: 1951
Horsepower: 1500
(For general information about the EMD F7A, see the MGB's other F7A, number 1995.)
The MGB's F7A was built by EMD in January 1951 and was purchased by the Pennsylvania Railroad shortly thereafter.
Initially, the Pennsylvania (PRR) used the loco, which it numbered 9646, on passenger runs. On one of the unit's most notable assignments, 9646 was used to transport Boy Scouts to the 1957 National Jamboree at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The PRR mobilized much of its fleet of locos and passenger cars to help move the Scouts from all over the United States and abroad to the Jamboree. The 9646 was called upon to haul a special train from New England carrying over 800 Scouts to Valley Forge. Once the week-long gathering had ended, the F7 was once again used, this time to return some of the assembled 35,000 Scouts to their homes in the Midwest.
In the 1960s, the PRR moved the unit into freight service. The venerable F7 served her owner well, working in areas such as Scranton, Pennsylvania and Binghamton, New York. The unit proved to be quite reliable and was a favorite among the PRR engineers.
When the Pennsylvania and the New York Central merged in February 1968 to become the Penn Central, the 9646 was one of the first locos to be repainted in the new company's livery (black with white lettering). Penn Central renumbered the unit as number as 505.
In 1970, the Penn Central went "belly up" and things looked pretty bleak for the old F7. For a while, it was in line to be cut up into scrap, but the market for scrap steel was not very good and those plans were put on hold.
A museum in New York purchased the unit, but then was unable to raise enough funds to restore it. After several years of being stored in a forgotten rail yard in New Jersey, the loco was sold to Amtrak which planned to cannibalize the diesel for parts.
Amtrak removed a few minor parts off of the F7, but then realized that the unit was so old that it really was of no further value. Ten years after purchasing the diesel, Amtrak sold the "F" for under $10,000 to a small tourist line in Texas. The owners there spent as much as they could to restore the loco, and finally got it running again after three hard years of blood, sweat and more than a few tears.
In 1998, the MGB purchased the "F" for "pennies on the dollar" when the tourist line went into receivership. The MGB's shop went to work restoring the old unit from top to bottom. The MGB decided to make this the second unit to be painted in the railroad's own scheme and re-numbered it as unit 2006, which is the year the MGB Railroad was incorporated. The F7 now rolls proudly over the MGB's tracks pulling freights and the occasional passenger excursion.
Locomotive #: 1491
Road name: Southern Railway
Built by: Baldwin
Model number: USRA 4-8-2 Light "Mountain"
Year built: 1919
Tractive effort: 53,900 lbs
In all, only 47 USRA 4-8-2 Light Mountains were built.
You may be wondering, "Just exactly what does USRA stand for?" The United States Railroad Administration (USRA) was the name of the nationalized railroad system of the United States between 1917 and 1920. It was possibly the largest American experiment with nationalization, and was undertaken against a background of war emergency.
On April 6, 1917, the United States entered World War I, and very soon the country's railroads proved inadequate to the task of serving the nation's war efforts. In December 1917 the Interstate Commerce Commission recommended federal control of the railroad industry to ensure efficient operation.
On December 26, 1917, President Wilson used the Federal Possession and Control Act to nationalize the vast majority of US railroads. The United States Railroad Administration officially took charge at noon on December 28, 1917.
Change happened swiftly. The railroads were divided into three Divisions; East, West and South. Duplicate passenger services were killed off, costly and employee-heavy sleeping car services were cut back and extra fares applied to discourage their use.
Over 100,000 railroad cars and 1,930 steam locomotives were ordered at a cost of $380 million, all of new USRA standard designs, which were up-to-date and standardized types, designed to be the best that could be produced to replace much outdated equipment. However, as commonplace with designs approved by a committee and paid for by the Government, some of the designs were inefficient and the costs higher than they should have been. The locomotives the USRA built were immensely successful, and after the war were copied in great numbers, becoming the closest thing the United States locomotive builders came to standard designs.
The MGB's "Mountain" once labored pulling heavy freights along Southern Railway's tracks throughout the South. During WWII, the 1491 pulled more than its fair share of troop trains and military equipment consists. After years of honorable service, the old loco was "turned out to pasture" and sat for many years at a city park in Greensboro, North Carolina. Some of the "old-timers" on the MGB finally decided to organize as a non-profit group calling itself "Friends of 1491". That group finally managed to raise enough money to buy the locomotive and then it took nearly three years to restore the engine to its current state. Originally the locomotive was painted black, but now it's "decked out" in the Southern's passenger paint scheme. The bright green, gold and silver colors were inspired by passenger locomotives in Great Britain. The 1491 is now operated on a regular basis hauling passenger excursions. She may be old, but the 1491 still is a workhorse and can frequently be spotted on the MGB, much to the delight of all who see (and hear) her.
Locomotive #: 5714
Road name: Union Pacific
Built by: General Electric (GE)
Model number: AC4400CW
Year built: 1996
Horsepower: 4,400
GE built 2,598 of the AC4400CW units, with the last being manufactured in 2004. The AC4400CW is capable of a maximum speed of 75 miles per hour and tips the scales at a healthy 415,000 lbs. As of 2005, every Class I railroad with the exception of Norfolk Southern and Canadian National owns at least one of these units. These locos rapidly earned a reputation as strong freight haulers, especially in heavy-haul applications. The AC4400CW was the first GE locomotive to offer an optional self-steering truck design, intended to improve adhesion and cut down on wear of the railhead. This option was specified (at extra cost) by Canadian Pacific, CSX, KCS and others. CSX ordered a number of these locomotives with 20,000 lbs. extra weight to increase their tractive effort.
As a result of tougher emissions standards that went into effect in the U. S. on January 1, 2005, the AC4400CW has since been replaced by the GE ES44AC
The MGB's AC4400CW is currently being leased from the Union Pacific Railroad. Be sure to read Harold Ledbetter's story in Issue Two (January/February 2006) of "Ledbetter's Ledger" found on our Newsletters page.
