Butler Wrote:
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> > From what I understand about Western Rail's two
> facilities, if a unit goes to Airway Heights,
> > it becomes, um, "parts"---and toasters--but if
> it goes to Usk, it comes out with a new paint
> > job for a new owner. Is the 803 a scrap
> candidate and the 602 a re-build?
> >
> > Bruce, are you going to be the guy who actually
> moves it from Cheney to WRIX?
>
> Re Airway Heights. While some units do go to the
> Airway Heights facility and get parted out and
> eventually scrapped, many that are in good
> condition or needing minor work go to Airway
> Heights for storage pending sale or lease. I have
> seen several leave A.H. enroute to a new home and
> further service. I would expect that this is what
> will happen to the 803. The two DM&IR SD38ACs,
> 201 & 205, at A.H. are in good condition and
> likely sale/lease candidates. EWG leased the 201
> last winter for several days. It was a great
> unit.
>
> Units going to Usk generally receive significant
> work, updating, modifications, etc; in addition to
> painting. Often the customer will spec a loco
> with certain features and that work will be done
> at Usk. That is what happened to GP30 WRIX 2253
> before it was sold and shipped out. The POVA shop
> at Usk does quality work and beautiful painting.
>
> As to the second question, I cannot say at this
> time. All the full timers are back now. Whether
> or not I work depends upon what else is going on
> at a particular time. Even though the 803 is
> fully operational, I would expect that we would
> take it to Western Rail with the 1617. If the 803
> shows up in Cheney on the Tuesday Lind turn, we
> would likely run a Geiger Turn on Wednesday. We
> are also expecting a load of steel and there is
> one load that we spotted for unloading on Friday.
> Hopefully we can take the empty into Cheney.
>
> While I have not seen the 803 myself, a friend
> indicated that he saw it today (Sat) at Parkwater.
> Sorry, Northtown; you got cheated! BNSF "Handled
> It" better than UP!


Mr. Butler

OPR is working on a deal with Max Kuney Contractors to move a bunch of concrete bridge deck slabs from a job they are completing here in Portland to a storage location in Airway Heights.
If it works out, there will be around 28 centerbeams of this material for you to switch!

Keep our fingers crossed!!!!!!!!!

Sammie