News & Reviews News Wire News photo: New Illinois-based locomotive leaser’s first unit has its day in the sun (and palm trees)

News photo: New Illinois-based locomotive leaser’s first unit has its day in the sun (and palm trees)

By Trains Staff | November 17, 2021

| Last updated on April 3, 2024

Gulf Coast Railway Equipment Leasing prepares to send first of two units to steel plant

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red, yellow, and palm trees on locomotive sitting on tracks
The first of two newly painted units, acquired by locomotive leaser Gulf Coast Railway Equipment, debuts in Madison, Ill., on Nov. 16, 2021. Randy Allard

MADISON, Ill. — Gulf Coast Railway Equipment Leasing is the name for the new locomotive leasing service of Quality Rail in Madison, Ill. Its first unit glows in the morning sun, awaiting finishing touches, before it gets shipped to Alton Steel for lease service. This unit and one other sister, both former Terminal Railroad of St. Louis units, will be leased to switch the mill in Alton, Ill., taking scrap from Mighty River Recycling yard to the mill. The paint scheme was designed by Dominic Montero, who also designed the paint scheme on the nearby Port Harbor Railroad’s locomotive that honors first responders and was debuted in May 2020. The paint scheme for the new company is inspired by the owner’s love of the Gulf Coast of Florida.

5 thoughts on “News photo: New Illinois-based locomotive leaser’s first unit has its day in the sun (and palm trees)

  1. Interesting question is whether the unit is just refurbished with existing equipment and controls, or updated to more modern standards. Many advancements in control capability and data handling since these EMD units were first built, giving much greater reliability and fuel economy.

    Roger Thomas

  2. It would have been helpful if the article included more details like type of locomotives they are specializing in leasing.
    Is that an EMD?

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