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Caption: I'm in my element again - Snake's words: "Steel Steve" is back and this time I've followed a surprise SOR job that ran all the way to the east end of the line, first thing in the morning, on a weekend. I was niagara-region bound and heard them call DI for the hole - and diverted my attention to the North End with bells on. Usually this is a late afternoon job, so I'll take it! In 1998 I used to work down here, specifically the facility off to the right, as it was one of Philip Services many Hamilton branch offices that I supported for a summer job.
At right there are tank cars being scrapped by Triple M Metal. Also the feller at left walking over to talk to me; usually someone talks to me from a nearby business when I'm here to tell me what I can't take photos of, so I simply booked out of there. Public road, sorry boys and girls :)
And of course, that's the recently outshopped NECR 3840, now RLHH 2117 working in the first few weeks? since it arrived, with the GP39-2u 2301 trailing. Curious to those who know, why would a GP39-2 have a turbo? Sounded like it did. Cheers all :)
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QGRY 2301 is a GP39-2C, equipped with a turbocharged 12-645 (note only 1 exhaust stack) after rebuild by MPI for Virginia Railway Express as a commuter locomotive (hence the small fuel tank). It started out in life as B&O GP40 #4042; the 16-645 was replaced with a smaller engine to make room for HEP equipment at the rear of the unit. Note it has partially blanked-off radiators and only 2 radiator fans. The rear stairs were also reconfigured to allow for a lengthened hood in order to fit the HEP equipment.
Thank you – I’d never have guessed any of that
How long was it in use by VRE?
Clean units, Gritty setting, blue sky’s, three key ingredients for a great rail photo.
Sweet! What is the deal with the scrap tankcars on the right?
As for 2117, this would be about its 3rd week of proper service on the RLHH since it returned.
Joe scrap metal companies routinely scrap freight cars on site, these are probably DOT111 tank cars – I’ve seen them being scrapped in both Hamilton and Sarnia of late – tens of thousands of these will meet their fate in the near future due to DOT 117 requirements – 2025 is the legislated final year for service of these types of cars at the time of this writing in the US.
Did 2117 get any finishing work by the SOR shop forces in Hamilton before entering service?
Any EMD unit over 2000hp is turbocharged.
I’m not a detail guy – I just photograph trains, guys, but I appreciate those who pay attention to these details.
Ask me a question about photography and I can tell you more details than you can shake a stick at
I just may take you up on the photography knowledge. I am just the train guy and don’t know much about photos and lighting. LOL, i am more a point and shoot guy.
Agree with Mister Host about the officious types who think that photography should not be allowed. I never engage them in conversation. I’ll just leave the area.
Yeah 2117 spent a couple weeks at Railcare. Had some bugs to work out before it entered service.
Usually local forces install items such as Fridges, Microwaves and hotplates amongst other local amenities – as it saves $$ from purchasing as options from the rebuild shop. This was done to 2073 and 2081 at least from my sources.
Awesome shot by the way!
“Steel Steve**”
**used with permission from Snake.
Thanks Snake
Watched many a car take their final ride out this way, including some characterful cylindrical hoppers. Those ones hurt. The tanks that are often cut up here, not so much.
Railcare seems to scrap quite a bit of cars as does Platinum rail by Irondale. And this I believe is Triple m Metal.
Yeah Triple M is on the north side of Strathearne Yard. There is a place in between it and AIM called Sanimax that looks like it may have a role in this as well but I am not in the least bit sure. Interesting note about Platinum Rail. I had no idea what that was there near Irondale and had been guessing that it was maybe overflow traffic from Railcare. Damn shame – seen some nice cars sitting there. A B&M hopper most recently.