NORTH JUDSON, Ind. — The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, the Indiana preservation railroad that is leasing two rare EMD BL2 diesels, is seeking $5,000 in donations to speed the day when it can put one of the units into service.
The former Bangor & Aroostook Railroad diesels, purchased during the bankruptcy sale of Iowa Pacific Holdings subsidiary Heritage Rail Leasing, were delivered to the North Judson museum in June. A museum member purchased the pair and is leasing them to Hoosier Valley. The rare Electro-Motive Division products built in 1949 are two of just 59 of the 1,500-hp locomotives designed for branch line service (hence the BL designation in EMD’s catalog). Seven have been preserved. The Hoosier Valley units, Nos. 52 and 56, wear the paint scheme of the Saratoga & North Creek Railway, a New York tourist line that ceased operations in 2018.
Plans are for both locomotives to be restored to operation by the museum, located on a former Chesapeake & Ohio line in northwest Indiana. These will be the first EMD locomotives operated by the museum, which was founded in 1988.
The museum says that replacement of seals and gaskets, rebuild kits for water pumps, and other small items are essential to returning No. 52 to service.
“Some of these items are still in serviceable condition; however, we would rather take the time to renew them now for a better finished product and to reduce downtime in the future, thus keeping this historic locomotive operating and available to the public more often,” the museum says.
“The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is excited with the prospect of returning the two former BAR BL2’s to active service,” says President Kyle Flannagan. “After a thorough mechanical inspection of the units, the 52 was deemed to be the first of the pair to be returned to service. We are asking the railfan community to help us raise the necessary funds to purchase the parts and services that will insure 52’s successful service in a very timely manner. We would like to thank you all for the support you are able to provide to bring the BL2’s back to service.”
Donations marked for No. 52 can be submitted through the donation page on the museum website.
I usually don’t care about paint, but since it is central Indiana and I remember this model on the Monon, one should be painted that way. They used to run south of Lafayette occasionally.
It would be nice to see one painted in Pere Marquette, or C&O colors. I believe they were used in Michigan.
They both have relatively fresh coats of Imron, no need to rush paint.
great to see unique engines brought back to life for everyone to enjoy