Eastern Railroad Discussion > CSX (C&O) GP39 units

Today while out taking some pictures, I ran across CSX GP39 4298 (C&O 3918, built in 1969). How many GP39's did the C&O order? How many are still running on CSX? Why did the C&O go with the 39 model? What type of service could you find the 39 in on the C&O?

Thanks in advance.

NateF40Amtrak
http://www.clevelandtrains.net

origonal order was for 20 units.

Although initially in general road service the GP39's were later assigned to switching duties at C&O's Russell, KY yards. Some were later rebuilt as slug mothers for the Chessie yard slugs 140T-150T that were later designated SWMT's by CSX. For hump duty at Russell a GP39 would be mated with two slugs - a fine sight in Chessie paint if I ever saw one. This continued into the CSX era until the GP39's lost their slugs and some were equipped for remote control but still being used at Russell. These units seem to have been added to CSX's purge list since 2002 or so and any major component failure has resulted in unit retirement.

And they do go out on the road occasionally. I've seen one or two on road freights
in Michigan over the years. They must have just recently been added to the purge list,
as some have the YN3 scheme. I shot a mostly missing 4280 in YN3 at Huntington WV in
July (all it had was the frame, trucks, cab, nose and electrical cabinet. No fuel tank
or long hood/prime mover)

Thanks for the information.

In the April 1992 edition of Trains, there is an article that mentions the use of the GP39's hauling coal. "Run 8 to Apex" is where I first heard about the C&O using the GP39 series.

I did get a chance to take a few pictures of the GP39. The unit was indeed showing her age and also some orange paint from her Chessie days.

How did the GP39 rate to the GP38 and GP40?

I wonder how much longer the old girl will keep going for CSX.......

Picture of the unit can be found here:
http://clevelandtrains.blogspot.com/

I seem to remember that the GP39 developed 2300 HP vs 2000 for the GP38 and 3000 for the GP40. Never sold in the same quantities as the other models. What was the genesis of offering this unit...IE, what were it's supposed selling points that differentiated it from a 38 or 40?

PittsburghMike Wrote:
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> I seem to remember that the GP39 developed 2300 HP
> vs 2000 for the GP38 and 3000 for the GP40. Never
> sold in the same quantities as the other models.

Boy that's an understatement! They only built 23 :) (20 to C&O)

> What was the genesis of offering this unit...IE,
> what were it's supposed selling points that
> differentiated it from a 38 or 40?

I imagine it was to compete with GE's U23B. It only had 12 cylinders, so it would
be more fuel efficient, yet, at 2300HP, had more HP than the GP38.

Keep in mind when these were offered we had not yet hit the fuel price hikes of the 70's, hence very few takers (C&O and two short lines) with most buyers going for horsepower. The 39-2 was significantly more popular. I'm presuming the 39's longevity has been in part due to that 12-cylinder engine and the slug capability, as I'm not aware that we have any 38's or 40's left on the roster. Guess they've recently been deemed retireable upon major failure.

Are the 6828 and 6783 still on the roster? For those who don't know, they are all that remains of CSX's fleet of straight GP40's. As far as the GP39's go, I still see them in Cumberland sometimes, and on a personal note, I don't like seeing them with doors in the nose for remote control service.....:(

What a fleet of GP40's it was too! What did they have--almost 400 GP40's? Then, another 200 or so GP38's? When you think about that, the leased power of the last several years makes sense. I remember when they were leasing Kyle GP40's (and at least one GP20) at the same time the 38's and 40's were being deadlined.

Of course, I am sure UP and GATX appreciate the fact that all these geeps were kicked to the curb.