Eastern Railroad Discussion > MMID SD40-2s on Q400 at Hobbs, WV

I got very lucky today on this one. The w/b CSXT Q400 had four G&W/MMID SD40-2s passing Hobbs, WV, about 17:00 hours today. Gerry

---

---

---

Nice catch!!

That's nice! Those may be SD40's mechanically, but to me they're SD45's!! You did well, great catch!

Wow. That's a great catch & great photos.

Ronda Thomas

Thanks for the pictures

I think I just decided where to go on vacation! Thanks for the pics.

Well, if you are going to replace the "classic" MMID units, this is the way to do it.

Very nice Gerry!

Rob H.
Keymar, MD

I love the fresh smell of Imron paint in the afternoon. Sweet catch!!

PittsburghMike Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Well, if you are going to replace the "classic"
> MMID units, this is the way to do it.

Agree. It'd be even cooler if they were blue and orange, but this is the next best thing -- and a lot better than many other corporate shortlines look.

The G&W paint definitely looks sharp when fresh and clean and one can hardly dislike the flares of a 45 carbody. What I await is the degree of dysfunction the roster majority of large 6 axles will create on a 4 axle road. Corporate decision dictates but from my observation it would appear they may have been better off with 4-38's and 3-SD's to better service their needs. This question aside, though I do long for the blue and orange past I also look forward to seeing the"new power" in action.

JW



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/22/14 08:13 by ChessieSystem.

---

What I find interesting is that back when they were getting the GP38-3's (303-306) I was talking to some MMID guys who would have liked to have SD40's but said that the 6 axle engines wouldn't negotiate the tight curvature of the yard/engine house in Union Bridge or the curve onto Farquhar St. Now of course Farquhar isn't used anymore but the yard remains.

Yes there will be challenges with the six axle power as there are some places where the SD's just can't go on the MMID. A mix of 4 GP-38's and 3 SD's would be the best for all. It seems that the input from some of the operating employees just went in one ear and out the other on the decision to send the MMID 4 SD's and take 5 or their 7 38's. You'd think that the G&W would listen to the people who "Know" the railroad and the operating practices, but that is not the case. Striving to be the safest rail operator in the world does not make them the smartest.

Well anyway, the Maryland Midland crews will have to deal with it, just like a lot of other operations where the higher ups call the shots and won't listen or take advice from the people who know.

JW

Well said.

WMF7A Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes there will be challenges with the six axle
> power as there are some places where the SD's just
> can't go on the MMID. A mix of 4 GP-38's and 3
> SD's would be the best for all. It seems that the
> input from some of the operating employees just
> went in one ear and out the other on the decision
> to send the MMID 4 SD's and take 5 or their 7
> 38's. You'd think that the G&W would listen to the
> people who "Know" the railroad and the operating
> practices, but that is not the case. Striving to
> be the safest rail operator in the world does not
> make them the smartest.
>
> Well anyway, the Maryland Midland crews will have
> to deal with it, just like a lot of other
> operations where the higher ups call the shots and
> won't listen or take advice from the people who
> know.
>
> JW

Sounds like just about every railroad I've ever known. My crew was once told by the division superintendent that, "You don't get paid to think," when we were trying to help make a bad situation better by suggesting such and such. We just wound up following their orders, and true to form, things went from bad to worse. Oh well.