Eastern Railroad Discussion > Neat consist on the WSOR last Saturday

There aren't many place a railfan can shoot a GP30 and 2 E9's on the same train, but on Saturday 11/10/07 at Milton Jct., WI, the WSOR's JM turn had a GP30-SD40-2-E9-E9 consist waiting for a fresh crew. The GP30 was built (on Alco trucks) as Soo Line 711 and became Wisconsin Central 711. It is now stencilled MJRX 711. Once the crew was on board, they added some power from the HJ and ran to Janesville with an 8 unit consist.

Photo #1: Milton Jct., WI waiting for a new crew.

Photo #2: Janesville, WI on the Rock River Bridge.

Photo #3: Backing down the wye at Janesville.

Thanks for looking!! Rich Kundert

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Nice Consist,I assume that WSOR is leasing the GP-30?

Mike Mautner
Maryland Hts., MO

Rich,
Nice shots-someone told me the 711 was working on the Prairie sub today here in Madison--couldn't get out to chase it.

To answer Mark's q, the unit I believe is a short term replacement for another yet to be delivered SD40 type. Too bad if so, it'd be nice to see the 711 in the red dip. But who knows? Maybe Mr. Gardner will want to keep it around..??

Chico
http://www.heartlandrails.com

considering he sold off the GP35's and the lone turbo GP20...dont count on it.
Larry

Some RR Museum (Duluth or IRM) should get hold of the 711 and paint it back to its as delivered Soo Line paint. Would be nice.

I was wondering where you were....awesome catch...FOAM DROOL!

stevelv Wrote:
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> Some RR Museum (Duluth or IRM) should get hold of
> the 711 and paint it back to its as delivered Soo
> Line paint. Would be nice.


LSRM in Duluth already has sister Soo Line 700 repainted and in excursion service.

and 703 is in another museum in WI as well. Plus 715 (WC) at Green Bay.
Larry

Actually, I believe that this GP30 WAS stored at IRM in Union, IL for a while before going up to Wisconsin.

703 is in Colfax WI, and is in pretty sad shape, at least exterior-wise.
I have no idea if it's in running condition or not. Got a shot of it
last summer while on vacation. Amazing the stuff you come across by
accident (I had no idea the museum was there, was just passing thru town)

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Here's 711 working the Quad Graphics plant in Byron WI back on 10/2/99 as the LO59 job out of Fondy on the WC.

Chico
http://www.heartlandrails.com

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Atlas made the WC 711 in N scale earlier this year. Technically, I guess I can run it with my 3 WSOR GP38's!!

bnsfsd70 Wrote:
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> Actually, I believe that this GP30 WAS stored at
> IRM in Union, IL for a while before going up to
> Wisconsin.

Nope, sorry. That GP30 was ex-WC, but it was one of the former Fox River Valley (FRVR) GP30s that was originally C&NW 815.

It was never owned by IRM. The locomotive's owner approached IRM about renting some "parking space" until it (and an Alco switcher he owns) could find a job in lease service.

It is now NIWX 815 and at last report was leased to the Blackwell Northern Gateway RR, which operates an ex-Santa Fe branch south out of Wellington, KS.

NZ