Henry Miller Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Maybe you mis-understood me.. Would it be a
> "waste of time and money" if you contracted with
> Wasatch several months ago, and have the equipment
> sit around at PLA for another several months ? In
> other words, how LONG are the physical adjustments
> and Inspections to the Rolling Stock good for, on
> the books ?
>
> Henry
> Oakland

IMO, not at all. That kind of work takes a lot of
time, and who in their right mind would wait until
the last minute to do it? Also, it doesn't matter
who they hired. The same would apply to any qualified
contractor.

Besides, If you go take a look at the equipment (there
IS more than just 2472 to be moved, after all), they
did a lot of upgrade work on trucks, air brakes, wheels
and myriad other things to make their cars acceptable
for interchange. The air work included conversions to
ABDX valves, which is also not a couple of hours to do.
All flexible air hoses under the cars and at car ends
were replaced with new, in-date hoses, many of which
had to be custom made.

Also don't overlook the fact that earlier this year,
when they started this work, they were working under
the assumption that a move to Davenport was imminent.

Most of what was done is good until the next time the
car has to go to a rip track. This includes the single
car air tests done this fall.

The new brake valves are good for several years before
they will again need attention, and the hoses should be
good for 4-6 years. Every single hose was past the limit
date. And there are a hell of a lot of hoses under a
passenger car.