>In Caltrain’s transition from diesel to electric, the transit agency opened a new online store featuring a variety of branded merchandise. In addition to holiday sweaters and exclusive boxed models of the new electric train, a much larger commodity is up for sale: the “Caltrain EMD F40PH-2 Locomotive (Used).”>“These gently used, lovingly maintained 1985 F40 diesel locomotives could be yours,” the listing states. “The historic locomotives come with 40 years of service, and more than 1,000,000 miles traveled. Perfect for your model train set, train-themed diners, ornamental lawn decor or planter box, unconventional bed n breakfast or just to show up your overly gnomed neighbor’s lawn.”> When Caltrain completes its electrification project with full service Sept. 21, it will retire most of its diesel fleet. Almost 100 gallery cars will likely be sold to another operator, said Caltrain spokesman Dan Lieberman, and the locomotives are being split up by age.>Nine newer diesel locomotives will remain in use for the Gilroy service, which isn’t undergoing electrification because Caltrain doesn’t own that portion of the corridor. However, Caltrain has 20 diesel locomotives that have passed their expected retirement dates and will no longer be operational.>These older trains might be scrapped, Lieberman said, but first, Caltrain wanted to give rail fans the opportunity to bring them home and make something out of them.>The engine must be disabled and the buyer must cover the costs of storage and transportation, according to the listing. The locomotives will officially go up for auction in October.https://www.smdailyjournal.com/news/local/want-to-buy-an-old-caltrain/article_5e80d0d2-77c4-11ef-8753-8f597dfafd08.html
>>2022128Not only that but it's 4chan's favorite loco. Nice
>>2022128>Only 1 million miles on a 40 year old engine.That's really not very many.>Engine must be disabledThat's fucking bullshit. Other railroads would actually buy them.
>>2022145>Other railroads would actually buy them.Which ones?
>>2022147Shortlines.
>>2022148Doubt they want a passenger locomotive when there are plenty of freight units available for sale or lease
>>2022149The body style is pretty much the only thing. Everything else is just like your regular old EMD engine. Plenty of shortlines use F bodies.
>>2022151It's geared for passenger service. There's no shortage of conventional hood units that are better suited to shortline/freight tasks. An F40PH absolutely sucks for freight use because there aren't platforms and steps at each end.These Caltrain units will probably be scrapped.
>>2022153>Crew comfort as the deciding factor on whether or not to get a lightly used EMD that was kept in California.They'd work fine for freight, but you're right that they'll be scrapped because nobody wants to buy a non-running locomotive even if it was lightly used and kept in California.
>>2022156>Crew comfort as the deciding factorCrew comfort is a factor. Visibility out of both ends is a factor. Safety is even more of a factor than those. Having steps and platforms on both ends is safer and easier for crews that will be frequently mounting and dismounting equipment.>They'd work fine for freightThey would need to be regeared at the least. Alternatively, a railroad can just buy or lease a unit that was built for freight service and already has the features the railroad and its crews want.>even if it was lightly usedAccording to who? (You)
>>2022163A million miles is nothing on an engine built in 1985. And no, they don't need to be "regeared." They'd need the HEP removed.
>>2022164>A million miles is nothing on an engine built in 1985.We don't really know their true mileage. Engine hours is more important though.>And no, they don't need to be "regeared."Yes they do, they're passenger locomotives that are geared to operate at higher speeds than freight units. They "can" function in a freight role, but not nearly as well as a unit that's geared for freight.>They'd need the HEP removed.Another cost.
>>2022166>Engine hours is more important though.The engine has undoubtedly been overhauled at least once.>that are geared to operate at higher speeds than freight units.They're not running faster than 79 mph which is what all freight locos top out at. Tell me, what part is changed out when you "regear" these engines?>Another cost.Pretty small one that is done in your own maintenance facility. You can even omit removing it and just lock some breakers down to prevent running it.
ITT: Cripple fight
>>2022168>The engine has undoubtedly been overhauled at least once.It might need it gain soon. We don't know. But Caltrain will hold onto the engines that are in the best condition and sell the rest.>They're not running faster than 79 mph which is what all freight locos top out at.There are wikipedia articles about gear ratios and the F40PH itself you can check out. Searching for "locomotive gear ratio freight vs passenger" and you'll find more resources on the subject.>Tell me, what part is changed out when you "regear" these engines?The gears between the traction motor and the driving axle. Why are you arguing when you don't even know basic locomotive components or how gear ratios work?>Pretty small oneOr the railroad can just buy or lease a freight unit that is better suited for their needs.
I've shipped a few rail vehicles, these things are expensive as fuck to ship around. Even lighter railed vehicles that can go on special trailers with rails embedded in the bed cost like $10,000-20,000 just to move across a few states. Shipping cross-country can be $$$$Then of course storing the fucking thing requires a large building, preferably climate/temp controlled, and locked to avoid vandals. And if possible an automated fire suppression system.
>>2022180yeah if you just want to buy a loco, even a steam loco, and don't care if it's in working condition they're surprisingly cheapthe problem is transport and storage
>>2022184Yep, free or a few thousand dollars will get you most retired/old railed vehicles. Most people selling them also know how much it costs to move/store them, so they also know they can't really ask for $$ unless they have something REALLY special. And really once you're dealing with special shit you end up usually doing trades between organizations that have collections (usually museums, but there are some private ones and the Smithsonian collections) most museums usually aren't selling so much as looking to trade, and trades can include $$, parts, favors, storage space, etc.
I used to live around a shortline that used this cab unit on almost every run until they shut down ~10 years ago (new company on the same track now.) I think the owner painted it that way, it was actually ex-CP. They had another similar loco from a leaser that they were going to start using before SHTF for them. FWIW.
>>2022128How much for one?
>>2024695Unironically, free.You need to pay to transport and store it though.
>>2022222It looks incredibly beautiful
>>2022180This is a retarded question, but can't you just ship it on a ... freight train? I've seen it done with a Kawasaki M9 set.
>>2024727It's still expensive and unless you have rail access at your destination, you're going to need to hire a crane and truck to move it from there.
>>2024728Thanks anon, I figured it would at least be somewhat cheaper compared to moving it by semi across several states.
Looks like they're sending them to Peru instead of stupidly destroying the engines and trying to get people to buy them in the US.https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/caltrain-equipment-is-bound-for-peru/
>>2025623I can't believe people are this autistic
>>2025624I don't know what you're referring to, champ.
>>2025625You do though
