Eastern Railroad Discussion > CSXT 9969 Hits The Road

CSX's unique -- and debatably most interesting locomotive on its roster -- GP40HW-2 #9969 seems at last to be shining the rails in its intended role as power for CSX's Track Geometry train. 9969 had debuted last year but joined the train in a support role behind the train's usual power up that point, GP40-2 #6060. Then late last year 6060 was taken off of the train at Indianapolis and 9969 made its first solo run from that point to St. Louis. But there the train stayed parked, presumably for the trainset to undergo some work at Gateway Rail's facility. Finally, late last week the train emerged for what appeared to be a shakedown move before hitting the high iron on Monday, January 26. That day's itinerary ended at Indianapolis but a late start coupled with delays due to a broken rail meant that train W00326 slid into Duane Yard, Terre Haute, IN with under a half-hour left before its crew expired on Hours Of Service. The journey resume the next day as W00327 and has continued on into Ohio as I post this.

The attached video is far from great and anyone who fans along CSX lines will have their chance to see this interesting train sooner or later, but as I was I'm sure that many of you are eager for a first look at this curious combination of F45 nose, SD45 flares, and Gyralite wearing a customized CSX paint scheme. Looks like about half of a Centennial, wouldn't you say?

P.S. It seems the geometry equipment got a good workout as the train left Terre Haute and banged over the INRD diamond at Preston AKA CP 68.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/27/15 19:20 by PatternOfFailure.

You must be a registered subscriber to watch videos. Join Today!

Thanks----I liked it!

Awesome. I look forward to seeing this unique train in the near future.

How's it get away with no ditch lights? Having a gyralight?

Very neat!

PQM

Pretty nice! Love that nostalgic gyralight!!

John Miller
Conestoga, PA

Glad she's got a new lease on life, very cool!

Davis

Also, it looks like they dropped the HEP car and added in another coach.

So what are the sparks by the rear truck of the Geometry car ?

Ed Stewart
Jacksonville, FL

Excellent!!!!!!!

No ditch lights?? Didn't you notice they got moved to the back of the train!

Sweet!! Good to see the Gyralight getting used too!

Yes, that's how they can circumvent the need for ditch lights.

CG Tower


SOU3921 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How's it get away with no ditch lights? Having a
> gyralight?

The Geo train is camped out at Bellefontaine, Ohio this morning directly under SR 33. At 9:30a dispatcher told them they were waiting on 5 EBs then he would see if they could come out. So far two of the five have passed.

Posted from iPhone

calsubd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So what are the sparks by the rear truck of the
> Geometry car ?


Those aren't sparks, they are part of the inspection equipment.

That was a rather rough diamond...

What was the puff of smoke when the loco bounced over the diamond?


Marty Bernard

MartyBernard Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What was the puff of smoke when the loco bounced
> over the diamond?
>

Snow and ice shaken off of the rear truck.

Posted from iPhone

Was this one of those MK Rail kitbashes for MARC where most of the rest have been rebuilt a second time by MPI for SunRail with MPXpress cabs?

Seems to be bright lights shining directly down at the rail/ties that is making the appearance of sparks.

glendale Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> calsubd Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > So what are the sparks by the rear truck of the
> > Geometry car ?
>
>
> Those aren't sparks, they are part of the
> inspection equipment.