LAHARPE, Ill. — Under the every good thing eventually comes to an end category, Brookhaven Capital Partners, the new owner of Pioneer Railcorp, has decided to store the Keokuk Junction Railway’s former Canadian National FP9A units, Nos. 1750 and 1752, and F9B No. 1761. Their last day of operation is Wednesday.
Pioneer Chief Operating Officer Ross Grantham said Sunday: “As far as our decision to store the F units, as we look at improving our efficiencies; we’ve taken a close look at utilizing those in the fleet that were made for freight service, and unfortunately that does not include the F-style units. These units were intended for passenger service and do not provide the tractive effort as that of a GP unit. We also want to ensure that we are making the safest decisions for our folks, and when you look at how the F unit was designed, it does not provide clear line of site for the crew and provides a much more difficult time to climb into and out of the cab. They are great units for photographing, no doubt. At this time, we are looking at all options as to the future of these locomotives.”
PREX 1752, (reporting marks for Pioneer Locomotives) has been awaiting new wheels in LaHarpe, Ill., but that work has been cancelled. LaHarpe is also the home of a modern three track locomotive facility built in 2008.
The two A units entered service in 2006, with the B unit following in 2009 after receiving a rebuilt radiator and fan assembly. The late founder and president of Pioneer Railcorp, Guy L. Brenkman, bought several cab units over the years for two of his operations.
Pioneer’s Gettysburg & Northern Railroad will also store its servicable F7, No. 402, joining two others that had been awaiting a decision on repair.
BRX Transportation Holdings, LLC, an entity formed by Brookhaven Rail Partners and Related Infrastructure, completed last week its merger agreement under which BRX acquires Pioneer for $18.81 per share in cash.
Two other former Algoma Central Funits sit outside the enginehouse in LaHarpe. A former Chicago & North Western F7 was scrapped several years ago.
The FP-9s (1750 & 1752) entered service in late-March 2007 and the F9B (1761) entered service in March 2010.
Looking at the picture, it appears that they are going out with a smile on their face. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
I hope a museum or preservation group can get ahold of these F- Units before they’re scrapped!
(sigh) I’m glad I saw ’em as many times as I did.
The Pioneer Railcorp line headquartered in Gettysburg, Pa, is the Gettysburg and Northern, not the Gettysburg Railroad as mentioned in the article.
Sorry Jim, F units were awful in freight service. Best place for them is in a museum or in the back of ones mind.
Boo! More corporate BS.