Motive power

Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Magazine, Sep 2003

Thanks this month to: Brian Gessel, James Moore, Bryan Pleasant, Matt Reese, Chris Strogen, and The Bull Sheet.

More Remote-Control Cabs

CSX has begun a program to use 75 older EMD and GE units as remote-control receivers. As with No. 9118 mentioned in the April 2003 issue, the units are stripped leaving only cab control gear. The units will be fitted with remote-control gear to allow them to be MU'ed to any unit, allowing greater flexibility. Several B36-7 and C30-7 units have been modified to class RCPHG4 and RCPHG6, respectively. They have been sighted working Stanley Yard in Toledo, Detroit, and Grand Rapids. There are reports that flat cars will be used as remote-control receivers as well.

Heavy SD70AC Program Underway

The Huntington Locomotive Shops has begun a program to modify the entire fleet of SD70AC units by weighting them with additional ballast. Units 766 and 770 are the first two to be modified with additional steel slabs attached to the walkways and rear pilots. As part of the modification new handrails are added to the walkways to compensate for the extra thickness of the steel plates. The units are 14,000 pounds heavier when completed, bringing their weight in line with the new order coming in Fall 2003.

Ex-C&O GP7 Still Running

Former C&O GP7 5896 was sighted on the Stone Mountain Railroad in Georgia. It was wearing a fresh coat of solid green paint with no lettering. This was one of several C&O GP7 units to be equipped with a steam generator for passenger service. C&O No. 5898 was built in 1953 and was sold to the Stone Mountain Railroad in 1989.