BL2 Disposition

[George Lortz]

This Q&A on the BL2 interest group was interesting to me.  I didn't know the disposition of these locomotives.

"Question:
In 1969 Monon sold three of its BL2 locomotives (#30, 35 and 37) for scrap to the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines who traded them in on GP38s in May 1970.

Monon #31 and 36, were sold for scrap to the Louisville & Nashville (in 1967) and Rock Island (in 1970).  On what did those railroads trade them in?

Answer:
Rock Island received 20 GP40s in March and April, 1970.  Maybe #36 was traded in on that order.  Their next new locomotives were the SD40-2s and GE U30Cs in Oct - Dec. 1973.  They did receive 15 GP40s in 1/69, five U33Bs in 1/69 and ten more U33Bs in May, 1969.  Maybe #36 was a late trade in on them.

As for the L&N, I can't find a complete roster, but the information that I did find indicated that they received about 20 GP40s in 1967.  There is no mention of a BL2 on their roster, so they apparently had #31 shipped directly to EMD for trade in."

George L.

[Steve Dolzall]

According to orginal Monon documents, the BL-2's were retired as follows.

Monon 30, retired 5/70 to Strobell

Monon 31, retired 11/66 to Industrial Maintenance Service

Monon 32  To KRM at merger in 1971.

Monon 33, retired 4/66 to Alco

Monon 34, retired 4/66 to Alco

Monon 35, retired 5/70 to Strobell

Monon 36, retired 5/70 to Ind, Maintenance service

Monon 37, retired 5/70 to Strobell

Monon 38, retired 4/66 to Alco

Monon units 30/35/37/207 were actually shipped to Electro-Motive from Lafayette on 5/14/70 against EMD order 728-1 for the PRSL.

[George Lortz]

Thanks for the info, Steve.

It sounds like #30, #35, and #37 went to the same location, which was either Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines or Strobell.

We know that #32 wound up at KRM.

It also sounds like #31 and #36 went to the L&N/Rock Island or Industrial Maintenance Service.

That leaves #33, #34 and #38.  Your notes indicate that the Monon traded (retired) them directly to Alco in 1966.  Were they part of a purchase of Alco C420s or C628s?

George L.

[Steve Dolzall]

It is clear that 30,35,&37 were brokered by Strobell to the PRSL for trade in credit and were moved directly from the Monon to EMD. Likewise, it is very unlikely that 31 & 36 ever touched L&N or Rock Island rails instead either going directly to EMD or Ind. Maint in Gary. The BL-2's traded to Alco would have been as credit for C420's.

Steve

[George Lortz]

Thanks for your insight on this, Steve.

George L.

[David Longest]

I was down at New Haven, KY (KRM() last week and was told that the Monon BL2 #36 was fixed and they were to run it today, 10.12.

David

[David Longest]

Make that # 32.  I was surprised to hear it.  They also said that Steam L&N 152 was not running per needed evaluations, like 13-14 year intervals.