Post by roadkill on Mar 8, 2016 21:20:51 GMT -5
I normally don't model "what ifs" but after reading the RMC article a while back on building Erie Lackawanna U23B's I gotta admit it has a certain appeal. To those that don't know the EL ordered 12 U23B's in '75, and shortly before they reached the painting stage EL's financing fell through and the units were sold to the Louisville and Nashville. So, what does this have to do with an EL SD40? Well, in late '75 an EL freight hit a washout in the Delaware Water Gap, the train's consist was CNJ SD40 3069, EL SDP45 3637, and CNJ SD40 3069. The lead unit made it across the washout but the 3637 and the 3069 rolled and caught fire. The 3637 was returned to its lessor. the N&W. which rebuilt it into a road slug. EL paid the CNJ for the damaged SD40, which was moved to the Hornell shops for rebuild and was even assigned a road #, 3000. Sadly, the rebuild never happened and the hulk changed hands a couple times, eventually ending up with the KCS which stripped it and scrapped it. I have an extra Kato SD40 and I've been thinking about rebuilding it into the stillborn 3000. Stay tuned...
