The unit is with us no more! The Union Tank Car EMD NW2 identified as UTC#12347, was recently scrapped down in Texas. This unit was an historic diesel; a part of the first four unit diesel order made by the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville, better known as the Monon Railroad. The three NW2's ordered were built in April of 1942, and arrived about two months after the single SW-1 on the order became the very first Monon diesel. UTC 12347 was known then as Monon DS1 (EMD serial #1598), the three NW2's carrying the designation DS to distinguish them from steamers on the Monon's roster. The units all wore simple black paint with white lettering and carried an earlier Monon "Reliable Service" herald. In 1947, these pioneer units were given a new black with yellow paint scheme with a new rectangular red MONON herald on the cab, "The Hoosier Line" spelled out in script on the hood, and were also renumbered, with DS1 becoming #11. Eventually the black/yellow paint scheme became black and gold, honoring the colors of the on-line Purdue University. The 11 toiled for the Monon until 1970 when she was retired and sold to Industrial Maintenance Service at Hammond, Indiana where she was rebuilt and sold in 1972 to the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern where she became #447. As 447, the rebuilt NW2 worked on the "J" until September of 1989 when she was sold to a locomotive dealer. Eventually she went to Union Tank Car and that plant in Texas. There was some hope that the unit might be saved, but that was not to be. BUT, one thing that was saved by UTLX was one of the units headlights, with the 447 number boards still in place. The plan is for the headlight to be repainted and donated to the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum for display. Hopefully, photographs of the unit in its three Monon paint schemes will be part of the exhibit along with a photo of the unit as UTC 12347. Most importantly, a photo of the unit as EJ&E 447. Except that we have not been able to locate even a single photo of the unit in service as the 447. She toiled for the J for about 17 years, and the fact that not one photo has turned up showing that service, is really rather surprising. So, if anyone out there might have a photo of this historic unit as EJ&E 447, the folks at HVRM would be most appreciative. We might even pay a few bucks for such a photo! Thanks!

Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum/North Judson, Indiana)

Steve A W -

That's the one! Thanks!


Les

Where is the exact location in Texas that the scrapping is taking place? Are there any iconic parts to this loco or others about to meet the same fate, that could be salvaged, that would be of value to a railroad museum?