Posted by Richard Whitenight on September 2, 2006 | |
Beautiful picture and color scheme Nick.
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Great shot Nick
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Richard and Dean, thanks so much for your kind comments! I really appreciate it. Nick
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Great Photo...I wish it wasn't Wisconsin Central locomotives! Why can't they be CN instead...In CN Paint!
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Thank you very much, David! I agree with you. I'm going to be going out more often to the CN trying to catch WC's.
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Posted by Kevin Vahey on September 3, 2006 | |
The one thing Nick forgot to mention is that these engines are in the process of being scrapped. The middle line was full but is now down to one more WC SD45, the others to follow shortly. Once these are destroyed, CN has a whole other batch of SD45s to move into here to await the torch. CN has so many engines that are worse than these rebuilt engines, why they are scrapping them is beyond me.
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One of the reasons that I liked the WC is these big brutes. 20 cylinders, 3600 hp, and a 3-4 unit brace dragging a heavy freight upgrade in run 8 will shake the fillings right out of your teeth. WC put many of their SD45's through an extensive rebuild program long before CN bought them out and to see them in the deadline being cannibalized and scrapped makes no since. I guess thats why majority of us don't own railroads. Very sad sight, nonetheless.
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As a long time die hard SD-45 fan, I stared at this picture for hours. Incredible image, Nick, incredible.
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Thanks so much for your very nice comments! They are very much appreciated. :) Nick
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It is eating at my heart to see that. They have served their days though and will remain in my memory for a lifetime.
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Posted by Matt J. on September 9, 2006 | |
It's funny...a couple of WC SD45's made their way to East TN in (I think) 1999. The two were the only WC units I've seen in person. Unfortunately, I don't know what numbers they were, as this was before I photographed trains or took notes.
By the way, nice shot Nick.
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Matt, thank you very much! I really appreciate it.
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I have seen a few SD-45 in Virginia as power in coal trains. I heard one was possibly leading westbound empty out of Norfolk a couple nights ago. Hopefully, a couple will be saved.
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Posted by Douglas H on September 14, 2006 | |
What is really sad is that the 7500 is in the picture. Many years ago that was the first WC engine I remember seeing at New Brighton. Has always been my favorite one. Last I saw the 7500 in service was last July of 2005 working hard and in perfect order up Shoreham Hill enroute to New Brighton. At New Brighton, as late as last September, we would always get solid sets of WC power, usually SD45s! How things have changed over time.....
Douglas H
New Brighton, MN
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Sadly, 7500 has now been scrapped. The left and middle lines of engines have now been scrapped. It saddens me to see this happen.
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I saw 7500 twice. I saw it on May 25, 2003, and in July 2004. It is sad to see a unit that you saw and is now scrap.
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I had the throttle of 7500 and 7589 back when the WC existed.
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