Dieselmotive Co, Inc. of Turlock, Calif., has purchased two former Gettysburg Railroad F7s last operated in 2013, with an eye toward returning the locomotives to freight service.
The two units, last used by the Pioneer Lines short line in Gettsysburg, Pa., in 2013, are en route to a short line in Kansas for evaluation and storage.
Dieselmotive offers leasing, parts, wheel profiling, and other field services. The latest purchase gives the company seven F units. Company owner Matt Monson is a realist. While he says, “I’ve got the loving trains disease,” he knows not every locomotive is worth saving. It has to make economic sense to purchase something that will be able to make his company money down the road.
The latest acquisitions to be saved from the scrappers’ torch are F7 No. 401, built for the Bessemer & Lake Erie in 1953 as its No. 726-A, and No. 402, built in 1949 for the Chicago & North Western as No. 4068-A. It was later No. 406, working in commuter service out of Chicago.
No. 402, Monson said Sunday during a phone interview with Trains News Wire, “needs a new voltage regulator and a new shunt field contactor. We will probably find other issues but so far this one looks like it’s the closest one to be operational. The plan is to pair it with one of my ‘Cleburne Curses’ and use it in revenue freight service.’’ The nickname ‘Cleburne Curses’ is one Monson heard years ago referring to locomotives rebuilt by the Santa Fe at its Cleburne, Texas, shops.
The two F7s are currently at in Norfolk Southern’s Good Yard in Normal, Ill., where they will be forwarded to the BNSF through the Tazewell & Peoria Railway in East Peoria.
The loving trains disease: more prevalent than one might think.
“One real good thing about train love,
When it hits your soul, you feel no pain.”
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Extremely lucky those mighty, marvelous and beloved F7s!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Another great contribution from Steve Smedley. Love his work.