Western Railroad Discussion > The Twins CNW GE C44-9W 8701 & 8646

What is their status? I see where they are still at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union.

Jim

That's their status.  Still haning at Union.

- Jeff

Yep.  Just saw them in person last week at IRM.

- Norm

So I'd assume due to the traffic down turn, UP is no hurry to retrieve the pair?

I saw a photo on RR pictures archives of the two in a parade of CNW diesel power at IRM. Is IRM running them or are they shut down and drained?

I guess at some point in time UP may donate the pair to IRM for preservation. 


Jim

australianterrier Wrote:
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> So I'd assume due to the traffic down turn, UP is
> no hurry to retrieve the pair?

Correct.

> I saw a photo on RR pictures archives of the two
> in a parade of CNW diesel power at IRM. Is IRM
> running them or are they shut down and drained?

Shut down, drained and batteries disconnected. The storage agreement specifically prohibits their operation. I suspect that is to permit UP the use of any out-of-service credit that may apply when (or if) reactivated.

They were dead-in-tow as part of a string of C&NW diesels in last weekend's Diesel Pageant.

> I guess at some point in time UP may donate the
> pair to IRM for preservation. 

They may eventually, but there have been absolutely no discussions to that effect. It will depend on their ownership status. As I understand it, these units were initially leased by the C&NW. I have no idea whether the C&NW or the UP ever extended or bought out the lease, so they may be going back to the lessor, not the railroad.

NZ