The quality isn't that bad given the technology of the times. The main thing is you took the time to capture scenes that can never be duplicated and they are always here for future generations of railroad fans to enjoy. These videos are real gems and treasures. Thanks for uploading them and sharing them with everyone to enjoy!
I guess it could have been a lot worse. But you are right! This will never be repeated again, and glad I got what I did, and was able to share it. Thanks for watching...
The E8's in their black liveries, with their rusted bodywork, are like the truck from Spielberg's 'Duel' ! They feel primordial, monstrous and unstoppable.
This is LONG COMMENT. I hired out on the Penn Central at 18 years old on March 19,1974. I was assigned a Hosling Job i at the Engine House at Meadows Freight Yard in South Kearney NJ. Learning how to move Locomotives on and off the Pit for Service. I Stayed there for the 1 month mandatory before I could bid on a Passenger Assignment. After the month, I bid a Passenger Job In late April 1974 and held it through December 1974. I worked an Afternoon South Amboy to Bay Head Assignment on these E-8 and or E-7 Diesels. This is the mainline I first learned how to operate Passenger Trains by Locomotive Engineer Ray Heck. Ray was an Expert at his job but unfortunately like myself at this time, lacked the Seniority to hold the best, highest paying Passenger Assignments. Parts of the North Jersey Coastline at this time was owed by the NY and Long Branch Railroad. In December of 1974 I bid on a Passenger job on GG-1’s.. Starting at South Amboy Engine House NJ to Penn Station NYC then onto Sunnyside Yard,Queens, NY for a Layover. I Was on one of these assignments until I Started the Locomotive Engineers Training Program in late July 1975. In early July 1976, I passed the LETP and was promoted to Locomotive Engineer.I was immediately demoted to Fireman. During the time at the LETP. Almost all the men that hired on the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1929 was either forced too or voluntarily retired. Back then it was mandatory retirement at 70 years old and you had to be at least 21 years old to hire out as a Fireman. This retirement moved me way up the roster. From holding the mid range paying jobs,to being in the Top Seniority bracket. I was Number 1 Fireman on and off from 1977 until January 1,1982, when NJTRO happened. I went from being Number 1 on the Fireman’s roster to around the middle on the Locomotive Engineers Roster on NJTRO. I would get promoted to Locomotive Engineer every July until August from 1978 to 1980. Then get demoted back to Fireman. During these times. I would get assigned to a Penn Station NYC job that would drill out coaches. Drilling out and or adding Passenger coaches and or Mail Cars to and from Conventional Passenger Trains. Or I would be assigned a Drill Job at Sunnyside Yard in Queens NY. These were a great learning experience. Learning everything about Penn Station NYC and Sunnyside Yard Queens NY. From July 1976 until January 1,1982. I Fired on a the best, highest paying regular jobs. I worked with the Number 2 on the Roster Locomotive Engineer, Don Hagenlocker most of these times. Right up until he retired. He was always on the highest paying job. Don was one of the hardest Locomotive Engineers to work for and didn’t put up with any Bullshit. But for some unknown reason he liked me right off the bat. I was known by the Locomotive Engineers,for doing my job and theirs, never sleeping on the job. I would basically cater to all Locomotive Engineers I worked with. I would gladly do the Locomotive Engineers job and also do what was required of me as a Fireman. I would never ask or look to jump short. I looked at it as, my job was so easy, why the hell wouldn’t I do it. Don would always tell me that I didn’t have to show up at Sunnyside Yard. Where our Assignment Started. Even though our Locomotive was already coupled to train and we didn’t have to get our Locomotive off the Pit. He viewed it as I operated the trains from start to finish. I could meet up with him at Penn Station NYC. The Assignment signed up so early in the morning. That there was no train leaving Penn Station NYC going over to Sunnyside Yard and I would have to take the subway to get there. I refused and said absolutely not. Not one time was a late for Sign Up. He would also try to get me to jump short and get off the train at Metro Park NJ where my car was parked. I would always refuse. We finished in Penn Station NYC, because our Metroloner was a through that went to Boston Mass. I would tell Don there were plenty of trains leaving Penn Station NYC to get me to Metro Park. These were the only times I ever argued with Don. Don was also a Expert at his Job and was one of the most knowledgeable man I ever worked for. A not so funny story. When Don Retired. An Locomotive Engineer that has great seniority, but never operated Metroliners,bids on the job. He was on just as high paying job. With much longer hours. The Metroliners were a high speed with very little extra time trains to make up any time if you started running late. If the Metroliner was more than 5 minutes late at the Final Destination. The Passengers rode for free. When we left Penn Station NYC. He was taking his time. I say to him that you better get moving. I inform him of the deal about the 5 minutes being late. When operating the Metroliners you had to get up to speed fast. Brake close to speed restrictions and Station Stops. Well when we get to Newark Station NJ. I get off Locomotive. and check the Pantograph and give the Locomotive a general look over. I look up and the Conductor is pointing at his watch and giving me the dirty look. We leave Newark Station almost 2 minutes late. I keep telling the Locomotive Engineer that you got to get moving. All while he is taking his time. When we Leave Newark Station the speed is 100 mph until Hunter Interlocking, which is 70 mph around the curve. The Locomotive Engineer gets the train up 70 until we go around the Curve. Then slowly brings the train up to 100mph. By the time we get to Metro Park Station,we are 4 minutes late. When I get off the Locomotive to check the Pantograph and give it a general look over. The Conductor is approaching me. Screaming at me as to why we are 4 minutes late. The Conductor goes on the Locomotive all while screaming at me to follow him. He then starts screaming at the Locomotive Engineer. Why is he , meaning me,not operating the train. That if we are more than 5 minutes late at Union Station Washington DC. The Locomotive Engineer will be explaining it. He then starts screaming at me to throw the Locomotive Engineer out of the seat and I’m to operate the train the rest of the way. I was between a rock and a hard place. I couldn’t order the Locomotive Engineer to let me operate the train. The Conductor leaves and gets back on the train. The Locomotive Engineer then gets out of the seat and tells me to get in. Well, I slam the Throttle to 8 as soon as we get moving. I wait for the last second to brake for speed restrictions and Stations stops. Where the Maximum Speed is 125 mph I have the train going 135 mph. The Locomotive Engineer is shitting his pants. We end up getting to Union Station Washington DC 4 minutes early. I was in the Locomotive Engineers Seat until this Locomotive Engineer bid onto another assignment, the following week,a 80 mph or less conventional train. Most Locomotive Engineers would split up time operating the Trains 50/50. Between NY and Washington DC. Don would allow me to operate the Assignment from start to finish because I asked him and wanted too. He would sometimes ride in one of the Coaches leaving Union Station Washington DC., while I operated the train alone in the Cab of the Locomotive. He would usually get on the Locomotive at Wilmington, Delaware. The writing was on the wall that the Fireman’s job was soon to become a thing of the past. Don’s thinking was.That I had to get used to operating the train alone in the Cab of the Locomotive. The Passenger jobs either signed up in Sunnyside Yard ,Queens, NY or Penn Station NYC then to Union Station Washington DC. I worked on Conventional Passenger Trains until the Self Propelled Metro Liners were being retired. While this was happening. The new Amfleet Cars along with a Mail Car Converted to Head End Power pulled by a GG-1 were being used until replaced by the AEM-7’s being put into service in Mid 1980. The GG-1’s ran real smooth at 100 MPH plus. The Speed Indicator on the GG-1 went up to 100 MPH. Many times the Speed Indicator would be beyond that 100 MPH in keeping the Metro Liner on time.In my opinion the GG-1’s were the best most reliable Electric Locomotive ever made . When the AEM-7’s replaced the GG-1’s. These Electric Locomotives were a pleasure to operate. They had Electric Brake Holding. Allowing you to charge your Airbrakes and keeping the Brakes on,they also had Dynamic Braking plus a Somewhat Like Cruise Control. It would hold the speed you set it on, except for going down grade. Then you would Dynamic Brake. This was excellent for slowing the train when going down grade to hold your speed. Especially entering the Tunnels to Baltimore Maryland and the Hudson and East River Tunnels in NJ and NYC. I really enjoyed Firing on Metro Liners from Penn Station NYC to Union Station Washington DC. At first as a Fireman I would work 8 days a month on these Assignments.I would work one day then off two. Do this 3 times then have 5 days off and then repeat. The Locomotive Engineer worked 10 days a month. One day work, then off two days and so forth. When there was a shortage of Fireman. 10 day a month jobs were created for us. I worked these 10 days a month jobs until I got permanently promoted to Locomotive Engineer on January 1,1982, and went to work for NJTRO. I operated the GG-1 locomotives up until their retirement for NJTRO until in October 1983. These were the best years of my life working on the Railroad.
Seeing those E8's and Jersey Builders cars brings back fond memories of watching that equipment pass by over the Shark River during family dinners at Mortise Port restaurant.
It's great that you managed to capture all this stuff in color AND sound, a lot of other things back then went unrecorded simply because everybody thought they would always be there
You are so right. The area has change completely down there. I wouldn't even recognize it today. I am so glad I did that, and had a chance to preserve it all these years. Thanks for watching...
TheBrantfordRailfan Me too I grew up in Norfolk and watched the N&W here and SAL and SBD All nearby and could never imagine it would come to this. Like many others I teared up when the N&W merger came and again with the SP out west.I was very disappointed.....😔
A lot of great memories! My friends and I had our first experience with the New York &Long Branch in 1975. This was our very first taste of GG1s exchanging with E8s! And GP40P flying through to Bay head! And Jersey Arrow 2s arriving then heading back to New York! Then in 77 we took our first of many train rides to Bay head and back. But on the return trip the train was lead by none other than E7A 4224! With it's Leslie vamp air horn! What a way to be introduced to rail travel along the North Jersey Coastline! And now that very E7A is on display at the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum in Strasburg!
Great video, brings back memories of waiting to see the big orange dot on the caboose after crossing at Centerville or Bethany Rd. The yellow Shell Chemical hoppers (09:25) Lionel 6-6107, that used to be dropped at Asbury Park. Thank you, Sir.
Thanks Richard. As a young boy, we would go to Ocean Grove every summer. My dad use to takes us to Asbury Park station, and fishing down at Shark River. I remember very well, the PRR K4's, and the CNJ double enders as a boy. After 1957, then PRR was running the big BLW sharks, and the PA's. CNJ was also running the FM's also. What great memories. Thanks for watching brother, and have a Blessed Christmas. God Bless, and take care...
Great stuff! Thanks for sharing. Grew up in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ a block away from the NY&LB so these sights....and the great sounds that go with them....bring back a lot of memories. Of course, at the time I had no idea that I was living in a ringside seat to some great drama in the history of Northeastern railroading; years of deferred maintenance had taken their toll, the equipment and the physical plant were run-down and the whole operation was holding on by dint of a bare financial thread. The eclectic collection of once-proud locomotives and ancient rolling stock struggled along and even when *new* stuff like the GP40P's and the BN/GN/KCS coaches showed up on the scene they soon took on the battered/begrimed look of the old E's/GP7's/RS3s/P70's and Blue Comet/Bethlehem Steel coaches that they supplanted.
I sure do miss that stuff Rick. We spent our summers at Ocean Grove. I remember very well of driving down from northern NJ with my parrents in dad's 1950 Hudson. The Parkway was open on the southern end yet. So we crossed the NYLB in many places between S. Amboy and Asbury Pk. We had to wait for the trains lead by K4's and CNJ's double enders, and FM's. My dad would take us to the Asbury Park station in the morning before the beach, to watch the traffic. I will NEVER for get those K4's, and those huge drivers I had to look way up to. The summer of 1957 was the last I saw them run. The following summer, it was all the big Pennsy sharks, and PA's. All the RR crossing where manned, in either high or low crossing tender sheds, and hand cranked gates. If I only had a camera. Mannnnn. Those were the days...
Thanks Mel. Glad you enjoyed it. Back at that time, everyone was taking 35mm slides. I very often thought! Why am I spending all this money, and also thought, waisting my time taking movies? NOW! I'm sure glad I took these old movies. The movies are paying off, most of my 100000+ slides are not. Thanks for watching...
It's a damn shame what happened to the railroads. My aunt & uncle lived in Dawson, PA when I was a kid. (Late 60s early 70s) Their house was right next to the B&O tracks. I used to love watching the trains go by there. The EMD F-series were just sexy, I can't describe them any other way. I remember the American Freedom Train when it came thru Pittsburgh in 76, with Reading 2101 pulling it. That was something to experience. And it's just sad as hell what happened to her, the roundhouse fire, and then ending up as a museum queen in Baltimore. I can almost feel her tears from Northern VA. Cool videos, man.
I hear yah! I two live on the B&O in West Newton. It is a shame what happen to 2101. The only good thing that came out of that was the 614 got the chance to stretch her legs. I road behind 614 on several tips threw Dawson. Thanks for watching...www.flickr.com/photos/jackdk/16717055222/in/album-72157654010917822/
It's too bad about 2102 but 2102 and 2100 are undergoing restoration. 2102 is expected to operate again by mid 2017. That's something to look forward to.
That was sad that all that stuff was damaged. Here is a pictureI took of 2101's tender with 2100. www.flickr.com/photos/jackdk/25053625345/in/album-72157654735562140/
Fantastic time capsule!! Thank you for sharing, I was in HS at this time but very much a railfan as half the neighborhoods fathers work for Pennsy or CNJ!!
Thank you for the videos. Reminds me of back in my early teens when I lived in Cleveland. From the ages of 12 to 15, I used to hop freight trains to go on adventures First, it was on the New York Central 'Water Level' route, then it became the Penn Central.
I'm one of those knuckleheads who wishes they shot video back then. I grew up railfanning the NY&LB and have plenty of slides of the E's and CNJ trains. But I REALLY wish I shot video because it's the sounds that I remember the most. Thanks for sharing this video - it took me back to a happpier time!
Thank you Frank. I am so glad I shot movies and videos over the years. Its nice sitting down with a bunch of guys for a slide show, but there is just something about seeing the action live. We usually have a slide show at my place in the spring. Have about 50 guys here, and 90% are railroaders. But with the videos, and social media, I share them with 1000's of people, and everyone enjoys them. Well! Most everyone. Thanks for watching Frank... Have a good night...
This is great stuff and I agree with Frank regarding sound. You apologized for less than optimal audio on one shot but I'm grateful that you got the video itself ! Nothing to apologize for here. Thanks for posting this ! Tom
I remember very well, when the K4's, then the Pennsy Sharks, PA's and CNJ's double end Baldwin's ran on the Long Branch. My dad would always take us the Asbury Park station in the 50's and 60's to watch them come in. Wish I had a camera back then, but I was only 7 at the time. Thanks for watching, and glad you enjoyed it.
jackmp294.5™ Sometimes I wish I got to see all that, but I have a feeling kids in the future will see even less trains than me. I should feel proud that I can even ride a train, who knows, maybe there will be no such thing in the future. 🤔
Nice footage brings back the old days. I worked on the NY&LB RR starting in 1972 into the Conrail days. Worked all the draws and Bank tower, it was a strong arm machine. Also worked Wood and Essay. When NJT came in I stayed with Conrail up north until 2006 when I retired.
Thank you, it’s great to see and hear those days again. I was in the crowd in Bay Head yard the day of the steam extra 148; at the time, no one noticed the routine movements around us, but you caught it all on film. At this point it’s all further back than the steamer was at that time.
Thanks Jack Very important stuff here! The 70s were tumultuous years for the railroads. Even the not-so-old GP40Ps had a different paint scheme by then. NJT is still runnning 4100, which is part of the dozen FMT replacements in 1968.
Hi Jack. We moved to Manasquan in ‘71, a block away from the tracks. Wow, does this bring back memories. Dad hated the trains, but I couldn’t get enough. Even convinced him one year to take my brother and I to Bay Head for Christmas card pictures! I remember almost every one of those trains. Thanks so much for this. God bless.
Glad you enjoyed it bob. As a kid, we vacationed at Ocean Grove most of the summer in the mid to late 50's. My dad use to take us to Asbury Park station every Monday morning. I remember very well the PRR K4's up to 1957, then the Sharks, and PA's. Also the CNJ FM's and Baldwin double enders. Wish I had a camera at the young age. At least I got the PC E's when I use to deliver south Jersey for the trucking company I drove for in the 70's. Thanks for watching, and God Bless.
jack kemp, Really enjoyed watching to old video's of Penn Central. I used to ride Penn Central in Yonkers NY. My best friends dad worked at Croton on the Hudson Rail yard. Thanks for sharing.
I enjoyed watching the trains in your video. I especially enjoy seeing those Penn Central E-Units in action. The whistle in the last train sounded funny - kind of like a whistle or twizzler at a birthday party.
Wow! You captured this? Amazing! Ill bet the world is way different now than it was back in these days! These rail workers knew what an honest days work was. They dont care nowadays!
This is simply wonderful. Wish I had these on dvd to pass on to my grandkids who will no doubt have to transfer them to some new technology for viewing.
Thanks David, glad you enjoyed. Technology keeps changing for sure. Just look at my clips. 8mm movie film. Two different VHS camera's, Sony Digital 8 tape, DVD. and now with an SD card or a Smart phone. What is next??? LOL Thanks again, and thanks for watching...
You are very welcome. Though I rode the last passenger train from Joliet, Illinois to Big Spring , Texas (my only train ride) with my grandma at age 6 I still recall seeing many trains during the trip as we passed stations and I suppose yards. I can only imagine the thrill of actually seeing these trains on a daily basis. These films lend a bit of nostalgia and a smile to my winter years. Thanks again.
I've lived in Long Branch all my life.I've seen Pennsy steam &these.Nice film.Good that you took the time.Long Branch railyard has all brand new double decker cars now &No freight.
I have enjoyed this video a number of times! My friend's and I went to South Amboy for the first of many times! And watching the hand operated gates was quite a thrill! As the venerable GG1s would exchange with the E units! And Wthcing CNJ GP40Ps go zipping through with the GN empire builder cars!Long end front! Or hammerhead towards Bay Head! In 77 we were pulled by the last operating E7A in the country! 4234! What a thrill that was! WITH its Vamp air horn!And in 87 was on the farewell to the E units trip to Bay Head.And in 10/83 Farewell to the GG1s we were on the very last run when 4877 blew a transformer and we were rescued by 4879 in Linden! What a way to end the GG1s career than with a double header back to Long branch! SIGH.SADLY THOSE DAYS ARE OVER!
Dressed in black to remember the late great Pennsylvania and New York Central railroads, home of the *Broadway Limited* and the *20th Century Limited* - no other road comes close - and which made Conrail feeling really blue these days.
An excellent video, thanks for sharing. Like many other railfans of today, I wasn't around for any of this, and I wish I could've been. It's nice to be able to see video of these times.
Glad you enjoyed it. I miss those days. I'm old enough to rememeber the K4's, PRR Sharks, and PA's, and CNJ's double enders and FM's. That was back in the early 50's. I'f only I had a camera back then, or if my dad at the forsight to take pictures. Only memories in my head...
omg u got great shots of the bayhead circle. my mom lived near the circle. i see off the distance the old water tower as the train goes into the circle. i loved watching those trains from there. and i notice the steam train that ran long ago. i was i was only 10 yrs old then
Thanks Gary. I got to ride aroung that loop the day we came in on the Blue Comet steam trip. I took some old 8mm movies going around the loop. That was a fantastic trip. Thanks for watching...
This was excellent that you captured these historical moments and you were able to capture the sound. Absolutely great footage! Thank you for posting it was a real treat to watch.
Great stuff, Jack. I was born in Long Branch, haven't lived there for a very long time, but I remember the E's and the smell of steam coming off the old passenger cars pre-HEP. Electrification kind of took the fun out of watching on the old NY&LB. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Thanks NP, glad you enjoyed it. You are so right about everything. The sights, sounds, and smells will never by repeated. All the great experiences are gone forever. Thanks for watching...
Awesome video. I never got to see the transition from Penn Central. I was a about 8 when my Dad reenlisted into the Army. And when we left East Brookfield Massachusetts. And all my childhood memories of the Penn Central are gone now. But the video is awesome
Glad this gets the memories going. I have many memories of this line when my dad would takes us down to Asbury Park station and we would watch the PRR K4 steam locomotives pulling the trains. Thanks for watching...
Did I see Great Northern passenger cars on an east coast train? I must say the mergers of the 70s lead to very unique trains, you never knew what you would see on the tracks on any day. Growing up in Chicago, I seen a lot of paint jobs that had never been in the city until the PC to Conrail and Amtrak mergers.
From 1:45 - that is what I remember as a boy living a block away from the tracks in my Monmouth Co. town. Those menacing, paint-peeling black monster E8 Penn Centrals and the ancient multi-color carriages trailing behind. And with sound! Thank you so much for posting, this really brings me back. I do remember the CNJ livery too; there was a "radio dispatch" lightning bolt symbol on either a PRR or CNJ loco ... anybody know which engine sported this feature?
Wonderful compilation of priceless shots. Takes the breath away and warms the heart with nostalgia. The sound caught some of the engine men cheating on their grade-crossing whistles! Vic M
As a kid I was always hanging around the railroad tracks watching the trains. I would have been about 10 years old when this was made. I wish 10 year old me could have afforded a camera and captured/preserved some of these images also. LV, CNJ, PC & Reading were all within walking/bike ride distance. I miss the old roads, modern RRs are kinda boring now.
The mid 70's; tough times for railroads in the Northeast. The motive power looks mighty ratty pulling strings of money-losing coaches. I noticed a NJ Dept. of Transportation logo on one CNJ locomotive. They'd already taken over commuter operations. It was hard times, but still interesting train watching.
Amazing footage, and with sound, no less! I wonder if some of the horns were really distorted by the old sound, like the train at 10:30. It sounds like a VERY sick Leslie RS3L.
These are the locomotives I grew up with but not these road names mine were Lehigh Valley and Erie Lackawanna and yes they all had some “different “ sounding horns
The wabco E2 is my favorite horn. I wish they would bring them back. Horns back then sounded cheesy compared to the horns they make now. Now they're super loud. If these locomotives are still around I'm sure all the horns been replaced.
This is great! I love your videos, I consider myself a kid born in the wrong era. I like old things, I'm the only 16 year old who wants a walk man for Christmas and will only drive a car from before 1990. If it isn't too personal, how and are you, I've always wondered since you have all this video from the golden days of railroading.
LOL. I'm a 69 year old kid KT! LOL. Still like drag racing my Mustang. The louder the better. I'm in the process of restoring a 1985 Mack Superliner. Being a retired trucker after 47 years, diesel gear jamming is still in the blood. I do still go out and take railroad pictures once and a while, but todays stuff bores the daylights outta me. I just wish I could go back in time. Stay young buddy, and never grow old. Thanks for watching...
jackmp294.5™ That mustang is a 67 right? I cant remember what year it was. I also wish you the best of luck on restoring that Mack, I imagine its burned a very large hole in your pockets. When I get my license, I may go buy a 1985 Delorean and try to make a time machine. Jokes aside, I wish you many more years on this beautiful planet of ours, the golden days of railroading will never die, I will make sure of it!
Oh wow, my favorite of all of your videos, I guess because it's my back yard. Never seen movies of the NY&LB from that time period. Thank you so much for sharing. Just a shot in the dark, did you shoot any super 8 on the CNJ southern division main (towards Lakehurst)??
Glad you enjoyed it. I use to deliver freight all through that area back in the 70's. Many times, I saw CNJ heading up or down in Lakewood, and Lakehurst, and could never find a place to park the 18. When I did, they traveled so slow, I would have to wait an hour to get to me, and I couldn't sit. Now I wish I did. Someone just shoot me! LOL
I was going to send you a link to this cause I thought you would get a kick out of it. I scroll down to the comments and who is the first comment? Guess there was no need! You were all over it! You should check out Woods Tower. He has posted some great Conrail videos from around Ohio and the midwest.
Hey Jack, You never fail to produce great quality videos. Love these electrics and early day Conrail machines; wish they were still active. Love your videos and glad has poured out more blessings. Thanks brother and God bless forever. -Don
Hay Scott! Glad you enjoyed it. RU-vid was VERY slow tonight. Took 4 hours to download the Amtrak E video. It was just posted, Thanks for watching bud, and have a good night.
great video. wish there was more footage and pictures of trains south of long branch from this era. just curious maybe you know maybe you dont, but how far south did the trainline go past bayhead back then? grew up down there late 80s and always found it odd the trainline didnt atleast extend down to seaside. regardless youre a true visionary my friend great stuff.
Damn even after restoring things like the big boy Challenger and other things that a GG1 will probably never roll again. Do trains still go through Holmdel as far as freight or were they pretty much gone now?
WOW! Great to see that video again!! I just took photos from this video and Conrail the black and blue years. May I use the photos from your video for my Pinterest collection? And to share with others please?
Why can't we have nice things anymore? All this equipment is gone, and the "new" stuff at the time is now just finishing retirement phases. Can we get 100 years out of a locomotive? It's steel, and with proper care it should last.
Good point!!!!!! My sentiments exactly!!! Fortunately, there are plenty of shortlines out there. Case in point, my local railroad, Winchester-n-Western, with plenty of 60+ year old EMD GP9's and 10's. The oldest of which is their most recent acquisition (576, a GP10) built in 1954, and runs like a champ!!!!!!!!
