Eastern Railroad Discussion > MMID update?

Just curious if anyone has any updates on doings at the Maryland Midland. IIRC, the leased GP40's were only for a period of 90 days, so wondering if those are still around. Any changes to the schedule at all? Seems the east run goes to daylight hours during the winter. MMID is definitely on consideration for a visit with my Monday off.

Thanks!

Mike Derrick
http://www.shortlinesusa.com

Talked to an offical of MMID yesterday: leased units will remain till they get new power of there own. The Helm 40s are beat up mechicanly but get the job down. Helm will come to town in the next week or two to replace a blown turbo on one of the units.

MMID is looking at additional GP-38's as they think the 40s are fuel hogs. They figure to purchase, work out the financing, get them rebuild and painted and delivered will stretch into the summer before delivery.

On Friday the MMID had a rules class and did not run a road train until afternoon. Then they had one train go east to Emory Grove and another was due to go to Taneytown.

The lease of the GP40-2's was for 60 days, however it may be extended in 30 day intervals. The 521 has turbo charger problems and while it's being used it has been a constant annoyance as the turbo likes to quit on occasion and the engine shuts down.
January and February are usually slow months so the normal routines of the trains may be altered. The cold weather puts a damper on the stone train so it might not operate on days that it is not forcast to get above freezing.
Train time is 0930 on Monday 1/19 but the work load may be light.