Western Railroad Discussion > Rock and Rail at Portland on September 30th

Here is the Rock and Rail power at Portland that, among other things takes, the early AM turn to Pueblo with cement loads. This is described in detail by Grande473 in the post below about the rock train. . . Joe S.

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Thought for a minute the 2372 was a x-Rio Grande GP 40 when looking at the nose of the unit it appears a light package has been taken off. But, I notice only 2 rear fans on the unit. Whose was it originally and what model is it?

The lease unit is an ex-MKT GP39-2.

The 2372 was UP's from one of its acquisitions. One Don Strack roster book I have shows it as a former MKT. However it has a faded WP stencil on the fireman's side. The model is GP 38-2. You will notice the exhaust stacks flanking the dynamic fan which indicate is is not turboed and thus could not be a GP 40 for that reason alone. It has the same frame and body though. . . Joe S.

Nice shot-thanks fro posting. That's quite a paint scheme on the R&R unit, I can even read it without my glasses!

The 2372 is a GP39-2, ex MKT 373.

http://utahrails.net/all-time/all-time-36.php#gp39-2-2359

The unit was at least delivered with a turbocharger. Behind the fan is a typical EMD dynamic brake vent. The turbo stack is ahead of the fan, but hard to see since it has a 'silencer' around it.

RS

Sorry guys, I didn't take as careful a look at things as I should have. I rechecked my 92 UP annual where I see that it is indeed a GP 39. I must have been delusional and talked myself into seeing non-existant exhaust stacks in the middle of the unit. We need to be accurate here as much as possible. Not the first time I've been hasty so thanks Grande-Fan. . . Joe S.

Actually the 2372 is ex MKT #373. The "WP" stencil you spoke of is from when UP renumbered the unit to WP 2372 to make room for the SD60 in the 2360 series. UP has used the WP intials many times to renumber stored units to clear a UP number block.

The operating WP never rostered GP38-2.

Duane

http://utahrails.net/all-time/all-time-36.php#gp39-2-2359

ok, what is "rock & rail"? i've somehow missed out on this new carrier. where do they operate, and do they just carry rock?

tia

...Rock and Rail never forgets!

Rock and Rail is what you get when Neil Young brings his Lionel trains to one of his rock concerts!

Dave

Both the rail operation Rock and Rail LLC and Front Range Aggregates LLC are companies with the same parent. Front Range is located on Drennan St. in C. Springs and is served off the Drennan Spur which comes right off the main line a short distance south of Kelker. The quarry is at Parkdale just west of the Royal Gorge on the Tennesee Pass line. Rock and rail crews exercise the former BNSF rights to run into Pueblo where a UP (actually some surviving Grande men) take the train to Drennan for unloading. The operation has been off and on but currently is on again. . . Joe S.

So. . . . . could it have been former MKT 373, maybe ? :)
I know what ' C Springs ' is but others may not. It is not similar to a 'C clamp' but is abbreviated for Colorado Springs, Co.