Recently posted on the CSX "Cap, Met and OML" Facebook group:

"Folks, I have some very sad news to report. The last Lehigh Valley U23B that has worked at Annapolis Junction for Vulcan Industries has died after suffering a cracked block during the Christmas polar vortex.
The venerable GE had been running well and I had just got some of the exterior running lights and front number board lights working again right before Christmas. During the holiday break, the locomotive's engine block heater lost power during the Friday windstorm and the engine froze during the frigid Temps of Saturday and Sunday, cracking the block in multiple locations. Word from the Vulcan Foreman is that the locomotive will NOT be repaired and is awaiting disposition from the corporate offices. It will either be shipped back to the quarry at Hanover or scrapped on site at AJ.
This is so sad. The 2779 was one of the few neat things to see around here anymore and always put on a good smoke show. It made AJ a neat place to railfan in conjunction with the two engines at Waste Management. As they say, here today, gone tomorrow. You never know..."

A guess is this unit might be able to be moved via rail without too much work...

Bob

Extensive discussion of the nature of the damage continued on the Baltimore Chapter NRHS Facebook post sharing that news:

https://www.facebook.com/BaltimoreNRHS/ ... imsqEzK4ul

As background, efforts to preserve a LV U23B have been discussed for about 20 years on RYPN. Most prominently, there was an effort to preserve a LV U23B for Sayre, PA that ultimately fell through with the locomotive being scrapped.

viewtopic.php?t=8788

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=31663

In terms of historical significance, the LV U23B locomotives were among the last delivered to that railroad and were used on the Apollo and Mercury intermodal trains—a late attempt to stabilize the railroad. The U23B purchase was also underwritten by federal funds, as part of preliminary policy efforts that would culminate with the creation of Conrail. 

This is in addition to the unit being among a handful of GE Universal Series locomotives extant anywhere. 

While the discussion of preserving a locomotive immediately gravitates to operating possibilities, interpreting the locomotive's historical and technical significance isn't dependent on operation.

Someone on that extremely fast moving CSX page mentioned that this particular locomotive is not the last surviving Lehigh Valley U23B in existence, but rather was the last operating ex-LV U23B. What and where are the other survivors?

Here is what online rosters show, all built Nov. 1974, retired 3-1991:

2777 LV 501 to RBMN 2396, 4/3/97 to GE?, to R&N 2396, to RMDI for scrap
2778 LV 502 leased Wimpey Minerals (Camden, NJ) until 1996, to CRL 403, to Transmodal, Camden, NJ (leased to Delaware Valley RR 3/95), derelict Camden 2012, likely to have been scrapped
2779 LV 503 To Wimpey at AJ MD (currently in limbo)
2780 LV 504 to Reading & Northern 2395, 4/3/97 to CRL 400, to CR Express (R&N) 2395 (wrecked 9/96, scrapped 1997)
2781 LV 505 to RBMN 2394 10/3/96, to GE?, to CRL 401, to R&N 2394, to TUGX (Texas Utilities)
2782 LV 506 to RBMN 2393, 11/14/96,. to GE?, to R&N 2393, to TUGX
2783 LV 507 reactivated 11/92, retired 3/8/93--scrapped Kansas City 2012 as part of TUGX
2784 LV 508 Reported at Shelly Materials 2784 is now operating in Linndale, Ohio. (Cleveland) (2012)
2785 LV 509 to Wimpy Minerals 2785, Annville, PA, retired 2009, NOW confirmed as scrapped (see below post)
2786 LV 510 react 11/92, retire 3/8/93, Wimpey 2786, scrapped
2787 LV 511 to GE, to RMDI, scrapped
2788 LV 512 retired 3/8/93, to Texas Utilities, sold to Mexico but scrapped

See also here:
https://sites.google.com/site/scotlawre ... ives?pli=1

Of the two survivors on that list, Photos of the scrapping of LV 509 in 2020 are available here:

http://rrpicturearchives.net/serialThum ... 106&mfg=GE

The latest photos or videos of LV 508 on-line are from 2011, showing the locomotive being rebuilt at Larry's Truck & Electric for service at Shelly Materials.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6zlPw3KWpc

If LV 508 still exists, it has been doing well at not being seen.

It might useful to note just the other day, the 2779 was picked up by the local rock runner and moved to another location (Hanover). In other words, while not operational, the unit would appear to be in shape to be moved by CSX.

Bob

Hanover, Maryland or Pennsylvania?

Here's the address:

875 Oxford Avenue
Hanover, PA 17331

The quarry is northwest of the city and can be easily viewed in Google Earth.

Tomorrow, I'll go take a look to see if the remnants of #2785 are still sitting there...

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.3296931 ... a=!3m1!1e3

EDIT: Too much traffic and poor visibility yesterday. I'll try again this weekend.

That satellite shot was taken this last summer and yes, #2785 is still sitting there in pretty much the same shape as in those 2020 pictures with the missing sheet metal and handrail. Instead of scrapped, I would categorize it as "partially dismantled". LOL

Surprising news - thank you for the report!

The AAR type-B trucks under 2785 would be helpful in replacing the floating bolster trucks that the 2779 received in recent years.

Additionally, there may be other parts useful in supporting the restoration and/or continued operation of U23B units elsewhere.

Has anyone asked the owner if they would sell either, or both, of these units? Cash is king.

Is there anyone serious enough to want to rescue this thing AND find it a long-term home in Sayre, Strasburg, or other appropriate location?

I can think of another entity in the LV service area that has other LV artifacts, but they couldn't be expected to finance moving them on their own. GE's in general and late LV units in particular are certainly rare and worthy of preservation and support by those of us outside the area. It would really be a coup to have both of them.