Western Railroad Discussion > Grand Canyon Railway questions

Several weeks ago (mid-June) I photographed the Grand Canyon Railway as it returned to Williams in the late afternoon. Locomotives 237 and 295 were in charge. I did not copy down the locomotive type, but my slide makes it look as if they were FP40PH?

I also photographed an idle train set at Rodeo Road crossing with 3 handsome dark green locomotives numbered 6773, 6871, and 6776. Do I correctly assume this is an extra train set that runs at the height of the tourist season? Are these Alcos? There appeared to be a third train set (closer to the station) with passenger cars similar in color to the set I caught. I could not tell if there was another set of locomotives.

Can I assume that the GCR is successful? The train (it was Sunday) that I saw appeared to be full. I could hear on the scanner that they dispatch the train with track warrants. Is it train 3 in both directions? Thanks.

Carl Graves, Lawrence, KS

Yes those are ex Amtrak F40Ph units, the Green units you saw are Alco Passenger units that I recall came from Canada

Ex-CN, ex-VIA units built by MLW (Alco - Canadian licensee)

Their web site - while in need of some updating - has a list of their equipment and their history.

http://www.thetrain.com/Locomotives-&-Passenger-Cars-5685.html

The Alco (actually MLW) FPA4 and FPB4 units are for sale.

Want one?? :)

Ted

They would be a decent buy considering they're "modern" compared with
their Alco FA brothers ie 251 power vs the 244 and updated electrics
and controls.

when I rode the GCRy a couple years ago the F-40's were still pretty new to them and they really liked them. Lots of power compaired to the FA's. 3000hp vs. about 1800 or so on the Alco's

Also the F40's have dynamic brakes, a larger cab and much better parts availability.

Ted

237 and 295 are designated F40FH's by the GCRY.

JMW
http://waidephoto.smugmug.com/Trains