Another NH FL9 Saved

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2018 10:58 pm

From the Berkshire Scenic Ry. Museum's Facebook post tonight:

Quote:

LATE EDITION - BSRM PARTNERS WITH WEBB RAIL, LLC TO ACQUIRE HISTORIC NEW HAVEN LOCOMOTIVE
As partners in preservation, the BSRM and Webb Rail, LLC are proud to announce the acquisition of New Haven 2058, a FL-9 locomotive built in 1960. Not only was this type of locomotive the mainstay of passenger service on the Berkshire Line, the 2058 is the penultimate F-unit built for domestic use by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) of La Grange, Illinois. The streamlined styling of these units represented the epitome of passenger rail travel and locomotive design in the post-war era.

While more information will be shared about this historic acquisition over the coming weeks, the BSRM would like to profoundly thank our partner, Webb Rail LLC, for making what was once a dream a reality.

Railfan & Railroad Magazine further reports on their FB page that the loco was acquired at auction from Connecticut DOT. Six of the unique dual-mode units were up for auction, and have been in storage since 2009.

Chris Webster · **Joined:** Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:45 am **Posts:** 1087

From another source, who attributed it to the Cape Cod Model RR Club & Museum:

Quote:

Final Score for the CDOT FL9 Auctions
Boston Surface RR Co. pick up 2027 ($51,100) & 2011 ($85,200)
2026 ($56,100) went to the Cape
Texas Grapevine Hist. Ry. landed 2014 ($72,100) & 2016 ($75,101)
Webb Rail secured the final auction which was extended for almost an hour due to ongoing bids. 2024 finally went under the gavel for an eye catching $93,100!

Zak Lybrand · **Joined:** Tue Jul 06, 2010 1:57 am **Posts:** 210

Chris Webster wrote:

From another source, who attributed it to the Cape Cod Model RR Club & Museum:

Quote:

Final Score for the CDOT FL9 Auctions
Boston Surface RR Co. pick up 2027 ($51,100) & 2011 ($85,200)
2026 ($56,100) went to the Cape
Texas Grapevine Hist. Ry. landed 2014 ($72,100) & 2016 ($75,101)
Webb Rail secured the final auction which was extended for almost an hour due to ongoing bids. 2024 finally went under the gavel for an eye catching $93,100!

Texas Grapevine Historical Railway? I'm kind of confused by that. Is that supposed to indicate the Grapevine Vintage Railroad?

Nova55 · **Joined:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:09 pm **Posts:** 597

Some rather impressive pricing for some of those considering they have been sitting for a number of years..

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Fri Aug 17, 2018 5:39 pm

I wonder what shape they're in concerning PM's and gens? For a static exhibit of the style, you simply need a car body. If these are operable (after work) they might be a good catch. At least they're not being cut up as of yet.

philip.marshall · **Posted:** Wed Aug 22, 2018 12:28 am

I happened to pass through New Haven, CT today on Amtrak train 173 and the dead line of FL9s was still there behind the Metro-North/CDOT shop. Do we know when or how they're going to be moved to their new homes?

-Philip Marshall

airforcerail · **Posted:** Wed Aug 22, 2018 8:02 am

I looked over the FL-9's while I was there getting our SPVs ready to move. We were planning on bidding to win at least two, hopeful for all six. With some of the projects we have going on, we would have needed them. Most were in pretty good shape, the yard is secure so there was no vandalism. All the fuel racks were frozen, common on a long dormant EMD. Other than that, they seemed to be in pretty good shape, and laid up with some thought to use in the future. Biggest issue was the shop forces said the trucks on them didn't get any attention during the mechanical rebuild of 2000-2004, and they hunted all over the place and rode like a milk wagon on a gravel road. For a low speed museum or tourist operation, it probably wouldn't matter too much, but to us, truck rebuilds would have been required, and we bid accordingly.

In the last 6 hours of the auction, other 'qualified' bidders (you had to get prequalified) came out of the woodwork and they went way over the budget we had for them.

At least they won't get scrapped, yet.

As for moving, our SPV's came out via CSX, they have a direct operation into the CDOT yard.