UP East St. Louis Locomotive Auction
Author: Shortline Sammie
Date: 10-22-2016 - 11:19
Union Pacific sold 36 suplus switchers at last Thursdays auction at Metro East Industries in East St. Louis, Il. There were four SW-1500s and 32 various models of MP 15N; MP15AC in various conditions and stages of completeness. I won't go into the units one-by-one but the average selling price was around #172,000.
The "steal" of the day was SW-1500 UPY 1086 which went for $25,000; the "Porsche" on the lot was 1975 MP-15N UPY 1456 which brought an unbelievable $340,000 (wonder what it cost new 40 years ago?).
All except the SW-1500s had alignment control draft gear and UP offered one free move off the property within 30 days; SW-1500s cannot be moved until they are converted to alignment control at a cost of 30-50 grand.
UP seems to be Hell bent on eliminating all traces of evidence that they provided switching service; however, there are still a very few examples still in service.
Dick Samuels
Oregon Pacific Railroad