We're always very busy at McHugh Locomotive. Here is a little bit of what's been going on related to preservation. Before I get started I want to mention that we are looking for mechanical staff. Message me if you want more information.

First, a very interesting project has wrapped up. A GE 25-ton diesel electric locomotive was completed for the Superstition Scenic RR in Goldfield, Arizona. This little locomotive was nothing more than a carcass that was partially scrapped when JC McHugh purchased it. The little locomotive was completely rebuilt from the frame up and converted to 3-foot gauge.

On 8/27/2022 we had a night photo session with Steve Barry, Michael T. Burkhart, & John Regan providing the lighting and direction.


Two recent purchases have saved another GE 25 Ton diesel and a 40 foot flatcar from the scrap heap. We have no history on them other than they were both used for maintenance of the Washington DC Metro system. Both have been trucked from the DC Metro area to the McHugh shop in Fairless Hills, PA. There are no plans for either of them at this moment and they are available for sale or lease.

Out in Cumberland, MD GE No. 558 was successfully test operated at the WMSR with Engineer Dave H. at the throttle, with owner John Howell, JC McHugh, and McHugh techs Dave B. & Matt U. on board the 558 first run. The locomotive owned by John Howell and his NIWX Corporation is on lease to WMSR with McHugh Locomotive as the service provider. Recently we were onsite to inspect and complete some fine tuning to prepare the locomotive for service in the fall season. It will be painted in the very near future. We're really pleased to work with John Howell and the fine folks at WMSR. They are all good people.

We're also rebuilding traction motors and trucks for a number of railroads and trolley museums. A lot of traction motors come through our shop. The oddball ones always present a challenge but we have folks who can reverse engineer even the most obscure equipment.

We've also completed a major repair on a D/D 671 engine assembly with rebuilt GE 1519 main generator and rebuilt Twin-Disc clutch assembly for a American 7040DE locomotive crane. This is for a larger railroad and not really preservation but I thought I would show it here because it is an old unit and similar equipment is found in preservation.

Awesome work and saves.

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but can anyone remember a person on here several years ago who was restoring a GE endcab, I think a 25-ton but possibly an odd version, and was asking for tips on various aspects of the rebuild. The gentleman was in California and a volunteer at a museum, and a senior as I recall, before the pandemic. I'm really curious what happened with his project and can't find it using any search terms though I've been racking my brain about it (yes it is rack rather than wrack).

Search for posts from “bowmore”. There were a few of them. He was working on a 23T GE

Exactly, thanks much, looks like he is still working on it.