SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Well, you won’t find this on Amazon.com.
Currently on the front page of the online store for California commuter operator Caltrain, between the ugly Holiday Sweater, and the limited-edition HO gauge Stadler electric train (sorry, sold out) is … an F40PH-2 locomotive. Not a model, an actual locomotive.
Click through, and the blurb with the photo of the locomotive notes you can “own a piece of Caltrain history” and that the 1985 F40 comes with 40 years of service and more than 1 million miles traveled. After some lighthearted copy (“perfect for your model trainset, train-themed diners …”), the item gets down to the realities of the situation: its engine will be disabled per the terms of a state grant agreement; the buyer is responsible for storage and shipping, and this is not a eBay “buy it now” situation: you’ll have to bid for it through an Invitation for bids procurement process. And there’s some legalese about indemnifying Caltrain. The locomotives (Caltrain has 20 EMD-built F40PH-2s and three Boise-built F40PH-2Cs) are expected to be available in October once the switch to electrification is complete.
If you’re still interested, there’s a “contact us” link on that page.
Caltrain began operating the first of its Stadler electric trainsets on Sunday, Aug. 11 [see “News photos: Electrified service begins …,” Trains News Wire, Aug. 12, 2024]. Full electric service is set to begin Sept. 21.
Trains should follow up on the “why the engines are disabled” condition. As it reads now, what 2nd hand buyer would want it ?
“… its engine will be disabled…” Wonderful. A 200-ton paperweight.
Cash for Clunkers part II?
Can’t take a chance of smoking up out pristine Golden State.