BOB R Wrote:
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> Sorry to be so dense, but where is EWG? What does it spell out to be?

"Eastern Washington Gateway" - Operates the 108 mile state owned ex WATCO, exx BN(SF) exxx NP "CW" (Central Washington) branch line which runs 108 miles from Cheney WA to Coulee City WA. The Spokane County owned "Geiger spur" is a 5 mile branch which connects at Geiger Jct, MP 7.9 and runs to Airway Heights WA.

Susan Hall Wrote:
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> what happened to the GP-7, did it get retired??

GP7 (1617) is temporarily out of service awaiting some running gear repairs.

> When is another Co-Load train expected

Today (Tues 1/25) or tomorrow

> or is everything pretty well loaded out for the year??

No - more co-loads coming

> Is the tunnel motor (It's number is??forgot to write it down) a new addition or just a
> loaner? Is it ex-SP or ex-DRGW?

The tunnel motor has quite a history:
ex UP 2891 renumbered 9 Jan 2007
exx UP 8619 renumbered 16 Apr 2000
exxx UP 4046 renumbered 19 Mar 1999
exxx D&RGW 5362

Built: Jul 1975 Builder Number 756046-7
UP classification - SD40T-2R
reference: UtahRails.net

It appears to have had a major rebuild or overhaul at Jenks shop in 1999.

It was purchased from Western Rail and replaced SD45 8925 which was retired account turbo clutch failure. The repair for this would have cost more than the 8925 was worth.

The tunnel motor is a great puller; as good as the SD45s, better fuel economy, and we love it's extended range dynamic brakes. The cab heaters are good, too!

> I'm impressed at how well 110-car trains move over Deep Creek hill,
> if the BN had tried some of what EWG does maybe they could have made a go of it.

Thanks for the compliment. We too are impressed when one of those monster trains makes it over Deep Creek hill without having to double. It is one of those gems that gets steeper at the top! Believe it or not, Deep Creek isn't the worst grade on the railroad. That honor goes to the eastbound pull out of Wilbur.

> (Also, what's the history of the GP-35??) Thanks in advance to
> any and all who respond!!

The GP35 is ex DMVW 324. One internet source gave me this information:

Owner: Dakota Missouri Valley and Western Railroad (sold to Western Rail 2010)
Model: GP35m Built As: CNW 837 (GP35)
Serial Number: 28972 Order No: 7709
Frame Number: 7709-12 Built: 4/1964

We have been told that 324 is the only surviving ex C&NW GP35. It is on short term lease pending return of GP7 1617 to service. 324 is a decent unit but it isn't happy being MUed with the others and seems to run best alone. 1617 plays just fine with it's bigger brothers.

The "Trains Magazine Special Edition No. 5-2010 - Locomotive 2010" has an article on the GP35 by Evan Werkema. On Page 64 he actually devoted an ENTIRE PARAGRAPH to the 324!

The EWG roster of two SD45s (375 and 8924), the tunnel motor (2891) and the GP7 (1617) is certainly most interesting for a short line in 2011!