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A history of the Finger Lakes Railway..
The first railroad that makes up part
of today's FGLK system wound its way
across the northern Finger Lakes
region in 1840, the Auburn & Rochester
Railroad.
The A&R became the Rochester
& Syracuse Railroad in 1850,
and was finally
consolidated into the
all-powerful New York Central system in 1853.
For well over a Century, from
the 1850's to the 1960's, this line would be known
as the New York Central's "Auburn Road", a meandering
branch line between
Syracuse and Rochester, just to the
south of the New York Central mainline.
Today, most of the "Auburn Road" makes up the
East-West mainline of the FGLK,
from Syracuse in the east to
Canandaigua in the West. (Auburn Road tracks
between Canandaigua and Rochester no
longer exist.)
The next railroad that is today
part of the FGLK arrived in 1851,
the Canandaigua
& Corning Railroad. After
several name changes, the route became part of
the
Northern Central Railroad, and
eventually became part of the Pennsylvania
Railroad's Elmira branch.
The PRR Elmira branch was used to haul
coal from the PA coal fields to Lake
Ontario freighters at Sodus Bay, and
is famous for being one of the last holdouts
of PRR steam, (or ANY steam for that
matter) in the North East, with steam
locomotives operating on the
branch as late as 1957.
Today, a remnant of the PRR Elmira
branch is operated by FGLK between
Watkins Glen and Penn Yan.
And the third major Class-1 railroad
making up today's FGLK system was the
Lehigh Valley Railroad, which
opened its mainline to Buffalo in 1892.
Today the FGLK operates two
disconnected segments of former LV mainline,
from Geneva south to the Seneca Army
depot, and from Shortsville, through
the LV's Manchester yard, to Victor.
The NYC and PRR merged in 1968
to form Penn Central, and PC in turn became
the largest portion of Conrail
in 1976. The LV was also absorbed into
Conrail
in 1976, (but Conrail abandoned and
never operated the LV mainline across
Western New York.)
Conrail operated the former NYC and
PRR lines around Geneva from
1976
to 1995 as its "Geneva Cluster"
In 1995 Conrail sold its "Geneva Cluster" to the newly
formed Finger Lakes Railway.
Finger Lakes
Railway operates its first train on July 23,
1995.
1995- July - FGLK starts up with three GP9
locomotives, 1701, 1702 and 1703,
and
a few leased units.
The
FGLK
owns
and
operates
(in
1995)
two seperate routes, a remnant of the
former
NYC
"Auburn Road" between Solvay
(Syracuse) and Canandaigua.
and a piece of PRR Elmira branch between Watkins
Glen and Penn Yan.
The two routes are connected via trackage rights
on Conrail between
Geneva and Himrod Junction.
A third piece of FGLK trackage is the remnant of
former LVRR mainline
from Geneva south to the Seneca Army depot,
however this line is not
used
on a regular basis.
FGLK's main access to the outside world is
Conrail, which it interchanges
with at Solvay, Lyons, Geneva and Himrod
Junction.
FGLK also interchanges with the Susquehanna
railroad at Solvay, and with
the small Ontario Central at Shortsville,
(FGLK is the ONCT's only access to the outside
world.)
FGLK
is jointly owned by Farmrail System,Inc.
Genesee
& Wyoming Inc.
and
two individuals.
1998
- A fourth GP9 joins the roster, number 1751,
which had previously been
leased
from the B&P until purchased outright in
1998.
1998
-FGLK purchases four ex-VIA Rail passenger
coaches for a planned excursion business.
Due to delays at the border, the cars did
not arrive until 1999.
passenger excursions begin in Autumn
2001.
199?
- The 5th unit arrives, GP10 1801, the "Mountain Laurel" unit.
1999- June - Conrail ends its sucessful 23
year reign, when it is sold and split-up
beween
CSX and Norfolk Southern. Instead of one
major Class-1 railroad
in
central and western NY, there are now two.
NS
takes over, from Conrail, the former Erie "Southern Tier
Main"
between
Binghamton and Buffalo, and also operates the
former NYC
"Fall Brook
Sub" between
Corning and Lyons, passing through Geneva.
FGLK
has trackage rights on NS (and Conrail before
it) to access the two
seperate
parts of its system.
FGLK
and NS interchange at Himrod Junction and
Geneva.
CSX
takes over the original New York Central
mainline from Conrail,
continuing
the NYC mainline as a major American rail route.
FGLK
interchages with CSX at Lyons and Solvay.
1999- June - the "all-EMD, all-GP" streak is
broken by the arrival of three GE B23-7
locomotives.
1979, 1989 and 2004. (later numbured 2301, 1989
and 2303.)
These
are former Conrail units. The roster now stands
at eight units.
200?
- A Fourth GE arrives, U23B 2211. (later
2201)
The roster is up to 9 units.
2001 - October - FGLK begins
passenger excursions, using four ex-VIA Rail coaches
which
were
purchased
in
1998.
(Only
two
of
the
four
are
used
in
2001,
"Geneva" and "Seneca")
2001 - FGLK purchases its first
two cabooses, 201 and 202, both are former PC transfer
cabooses
and are converted into Remote Control units for
operation in the Solvay area.
2004? - Two more B23-7 units arrive,
FGLK 2304 and 2305.
These are the two units that began life as
Southern Railway high hoods,
and
the
"front" of the units
was the long-hood end, in typical SOU and
N&W fashion. Their noses were later chopped,
giving them both an
unusual
looking
custom
low
nose,
and
"front" was changed to
the "cab
end".
The roster reaches Eleven units.
2004
- October -two new coaches arrive! the coaches
formerly used on the Niagara & Western NY
excursion railroad, which operated between
Medina & Lockport, NY for one season only
(2002)
These
two
coaches
were
built
for
the
Norfolk
&
Western
in
1916,
and
will
become
FGLK
1642
and
1643.
They
were
intially
stored
in
Geneva
for
a
private
owner,
for
a
few
years,
then purchased
by FGLK.
2005
- FGLK purchases its 7th passenger car, a full
baggage car, with plans
to convert it
into an open air observation car.
2005
- The other two (of four)
ex-VIA Rail coaches, "Canandaigua" and "Cayuga" , purchased in 1998,
are refurbished, repainted and
placed in service.
2006
- The first unit leaves the FGLK roster.
1801, which spent its entire FGLK
career in its Mountain Laurel paintscheme, is
sold to the Seaview Railroad
of
Rhode
Island,
who
gives
it
a
sparkling
new paintjob in 2007.
The roster drops from eleven to ten units.
2006
- FGLK purchases it third caboose, the
former G&W 1003, which becomes FGLK 203.
2007
- FGLK takes over the Ontario Central from
previous owner Livonia, Avon
& Lakeville. The former ONCT
trackage stretches 13 miles from Shortsville
to
Victor, and is a remnant of Lehigh Valley
Railroad mainline. The ONCT
Alco
RS36 goes "home" to the LAL,
leaving behind the leased GSRX EMD SW9.
2008
- March - GP9 1702 returns to previous owner,
Farmrail, after 13 years serving
with
FGLK. 1702 was one of the three original FGLK
units, at the startup in 1995.
1701,
1702 and 1703 all originally came from corporate
relative Farmrail.
2008
- Yet more B23-7's arrive, FGLK 2306 and 2307
arrive on the property,
for
now remaining in the paintscheme of their former
owner the
Providence
& Worchester.
Bringing
the current roster to 11 units.
As
of July 2008, 10 units are operating, and one
(2304) is OOS in Geneva,
2009 -
April, B23-7 2305 heads
over to Fort Edward, NY, north of Albany, for some
FGLK contract
work.
(FGLK
is
not
leasing
the
unit..FGLK
is
doing
the work!)
2009 -
April or May, about two
weeks later, FGLK 1703 joins her sister 2305 in Fort
Edward.
2009 -
May 9th, FGLK 2308,
FGLK's 14th unit arrives in Geneva.
former Camas Prairie Railnet B23-7 number 7.
Making 12 units on the FGLK
roster. (1703 and 2305 are in Fort Edward, and 2304 is
still OOS.)
2009 - June, FGLK 2304,
which has been OOS in Geneva for two years, returns to
service!
2010 -
February - News hits
the
internet that FGLK may be ceasing passenger
excursions!
they are looking for an independant operation to take
over the excursion business.
Some excursions were operated however, through 2010,
by FGLK.
2010 - March - news first hits
the internet that a new FGLK locomotive is on
the way!
to become FGLK 2309
2010 - April - It is confirmed
as TWO new units! FGLK 2309 and 2310. Two B23-7's,
originally
Santa
Fe
units.
The
units
will
arive
still
wearing
their
original ATSF
yellow & blue Warbonnet
paint!
These will be FGLK's 15th and 16th units, and will
make 14 on the active roster.
Thanks
to
Mike
Rujak,
for
the
first
photos
of
the
new
units,
taken
at
Mingo
Junction,
Ohio
on
March
16,
2010:
Photo
of 2309 - Photo
of 2310.
Final Finger Lakes Railway
Passenger Excursions?
2010 - November 6, FGLK
annouces it will operate its last passenger excursion
December 19, 2010.
the news is published in local newspapers:
Railway to give up excursions.
By David L. Shaw / Finger Lakes Times
Sunday, November 14, 2010 12:09 AM CST
GENEVA " Finger Lakes Railway will sponsor its last
passenger train excursion Dec. 19.
The company will not resume booking passenger excursions
in May, as usual, but is looking for another party to
manage and operate the passenger services.
"We are going to keep the passenger coaches, locomotives
and infrastructure for the passenger service," said Deb
Najarro, director of passenger service for the railway.
"We’ve put a lot into them and it’s not a good market to
sell such assets. "We want someone to come in and manage
the passenger services so we can concentrate on our main
focus, which is freight." There was an excursion
yesterday to the Granger Homestead in Canandaigua. The
next excursion is planned for Nov. 21 to Cayuga. Najarro
said there is at least one interested party and she’s
hopeful an arrangement can be made so the new party can
resume excursions next spring without interruption.
FGLK would
operate a total of 32 passenger excursions, on 11 days,
in November & December of 2010:
Victor Rock-n-Roll Wine & Beer
Tasting Train Excursion
Date:Saturday, November 6, 2010
Departures:4:00PM
Boarding Location(s):Village of Victor
Fare: Adult (14+):$40
Fare: Senior (62+ or retired):$38
Board the train in Victor and have some fun!
The train will head east for 90 minutes then return 90
minutes to Victor.
Trip includes Finger Lakes beer and wine tasting (5
each) and hors d'oeuvres onboard. (Pizzas, finger foods,
veggies, wraps, etc.) Trip also includes live rock and
roll music. (TMP band)
3 hour ride.
Child Policy: No children under 21
Christkindl Market Ride in Ontario County
Saturday, November 13 from 10am to 5pm
Enjoy a day long trip from Geneva to Canandaigua. Travel
by rail in the morning from Geneva Station, just off
Exchange / Rt.14 at The Shops at the Station historic
depot.
Arrive in Canandaigua at noon for a 3-hour layover.
During the layover, you have the option to visit Granger
Homestead or walk-about downtown. Return Departure time
is 3pm.
Granger Homestead is hosting their seasonal Canandaigua
Christkindl Market and Christmas Tree display. Market is
full of juried crafts and trees are decorated. Downtown
is full of shops, eateries, and boutiques for visiting
strollers. It is a One-mile walk to lakefront. Train
will depart Canandaigua at 3pm and arrive in Geneva at
5pm. Snacks, drinks and some souvenirs available
onboard. We are NOT wheelchair accessible. Passengers
must climb 5-7 stairs to enter the train. Walking is
necessary, however a wheelchair can be folded and
brought along for use in Canandaigua. Please call with
special concerns.
Cayuga Harvest Train SURPRISE
Sunday, November 21 at 12pm and 2:30pm
SURPRISE - Santa will visit the Village of Cayuga a
little early for a Harvest Surprise train ride. We will
ring in the holidays early with hot cocoa, carols, and
goodies for the whole family during a 75 minute train
ride across Cayuga Lake and back. Of special note for
this trip: Parking is limited in the Village of Cayuga.
We are asking people to park along the streets above the
historic train depot, which is now the Village Hall. The
Depot is located at Harris Park on Cayuga Lake. Walking
is necessary. We are NOT wheelchair accessible.
Passengers must climb 5-7 steps to enter the train.
However, there are 5 handicap spaces at the bottom of
the hill for parking near the depot. Thank you for your
patience in advance when attending this ride.
SANTA TRAINS
SELECT Saturdays & Sundays, November 27 - Dec
19
The Finger Lakes Railway Santa Trains have become a
family tradition. Each 75-min trip offers a visit with
Santa onboard and carol singing. Starting with the Santa
rides in Shortsville and ending with Auburn Santa
Extravaganza, we will be visiting a community near you.
Shortsville - Sat. Nov 27 - 5 Trips
Victor - Sun. Nov 28 - 4 Trips
Geneva - Sat. Dec 4 - 5 Trips
Seneca Falls - Sat. Dec 11 - 3 Trips
Watkins Glen - Sun. Dec 12 - 2 trips
Camillus - Fri. Dec 17 - 2 Trips - PM
Camillus - Sat. Dec 18 - 4 Trips
Auburn - Sun. Dec 19 - 3 Trips
For a complete listing of all Santa Trains, visit our
Excursions page online and scroll through the dates and
locations. Any Santa Ride can become a "Pajama Express"
at your own discretion. Just wear your Jammies! We will
have hot cocoa, concessions, and some souvenirs
available to purchase onboard. Each trip is listed
online with the BOARDING LOCATION first and in date
order. Refer to list above as you begin planning for
your visit. We appreciate that it takes time to
coordinate family and friends for a ride together. We
suggest buying tickets together for families and
boarding early and together to ensure family seating
together. All tickets are for General Seating.
Lapsitters 2 and under are FREE.
2010 - December 19 - Finger
Lakes Railway operates its last
passenger excursion.
(update! not the last afterall! there are Autumn
2011 excursions, see below)
Auburn Santa Extravaganza -
sponsored by CNY Model Railroad Club - (3 TRIPS)--SOLD
OUT-
Date: Sunday, December 19, 2010
Departures:
10:30AM
12:30PM
2:30PM
Boarding Location(s):
Auburn
Fare: Adult (14+):$12
Fare: Child (3-13):$12
Enjoy a train ride with Santa and sing carols with
everyone. Hot cocoa and snacks available. Some souvenirs
too. Santa is sure to see each child that wants
to.
Boarding location is linked in red above. Location is on
Rt 5 heading east to Elbridge / Syracuse. Just outside
Auburn city limits, across from Grant Ave Plaza with
theatre and tractor supply store. There is an old gas
station with Angel's Auto office. Park along tracks and
where marked. Tickets Redeemed onboard. Please have
confirmation from your purchase below.
There are 3 trips to choose from.
BUY TICKETS NOW. TRIP #1 - 10:30 am --SOLD OUT--
BUY TICKETS NOW. TRIP #2 - 12:30 pm --SOLD OUT--
BUY TICKETS NOW. TRIP #3 - 2:30 pm --
SOLD OUT--
Child Policy: Lapsitters - 2 and under FREE
As of December 2010, there are no future
plans for excursions, none are scheduled for 2011, and
there are no known "operators" lined up for future
excursions. but for now, FGLK is keeping their passenger
car fleet, in the hopes that excursions might yet
operate in the future.
2010 - December - 2309 is repainted
from her ATSF yellow & blue "warbonnet" colors
into the
standard FGLK scheme, and is in service.
2011
- January - 2310 remains in her ATSF colors,
and remains
OOS in Geneva.
2011
- May 13 - news first
hits the internet that FGLK may be considering
trading in their high-hood
GP9, number 1751, for more GE's..possibly making FGLK
an all-GE railroad in the future.
(in
recent
years
the
EMD
roster
has
dropped
from
5
to
3
units,
while
the
GE
roster has grown
to eleven units!) however, this trade of the 1751
remains only speculation, for now.
2011
- Autumn - Turns out 2010 was *not* the last
excursion season afterall! Finger Lakes Railway
came
back
in
2011
with
a
full
calendar
of
excursions
in
September
through
December
2011!
-
Fall
Festival Express, sponsered by the Geneva Rotary
Club (1 Trip)
Saturday, September
17, 2011 - Geneva Station
-
LVRRHS
Fall Foliage excursions, sponsored by LVRR
Historical Society (4 Trips)
Saturday, October 8,
2011 - Shortsville
-
Saturday, October
29, 2011 - Village of Victor
-
Sunday, October 30,
2011 - Waterloo
-
Saturday, November
26, 2011 - Shortsville
-
Sunday, November 27,
2011 - Village of Victor
-
Saturday, December
3, 2011 - Geneva Station
Will the 2011 excursion season end up being the last?
lets hope not!
2011 - October - FGLK's 17th
(all time) unit arrives
in Geneva, the Eleventh B23-7 on the roster!
The unit is the former NYSW 2300.
FGLK 2300 (unit will likely be renumbured)
GE B23-7.
built 1978
ex NYSW 2300 - P&W 2214 - CSX 3126 - SBD 5127 - Nee
L&N 5127
This unit will most
likely become FGLK 2311. The all-time roster increases
from 16 to 17 units,
and the current roster increases from 14 to 15 units.
2011 - December - The
speculation above, from May, about GP9 number 1751
perhaps being traded
for
more
GE's,
is
true!
FGLK
1751,
the
high-hood
GP9,
was
sold
to
the
Conway
Scenic
railroad
of New
Hampshire in 2011. 1751 left Geneva for the last time in
early December, 2011.
As the 1751 goes to Conway Scenic, two GE's are coming
from Conway Scenic to FGLK.
FGLK's
18th and 19th (all time) units.
Conway
Scenic U23B 2820 and B23-7 1943 are on the way. The two
GE's have not arrived in
Geneva
as of the end of 2011.
The exact status and future plans for the three new GE's
is uncertain at this time, the former:
NYSW 2300
CSRX 2820
CSRX 1943
Two of the three are rumoured
to be OOS and not in operating condition..perhaps FGLK
has
aquired some
GE parts units to keep the rest of the fleet going?
perhaps..
we will have to wait for 2012 to find out.
2012 - January 6 - FGLK's 18th
and 19th units arrive
in Geneva! dead in tow. These are the two former
Conway Scenic Units.
FGLK 1943 (unit will likely be renumbured)
GE B23-7
built 7/1978
Serial - 42056
ex CSRX 1943 - CSRX 23 - QBT 23 - nee Conrail 1943
FGLK 2820 (unit will likely be renumbured)
GE U23B
built 2/1975
Serial - 40130
ex
CSRX
2820
-
CSRX
21
-
QBT
21
-
R&N
2390
-
CSX
3320
- SBD 3320 - nee L&N 2820
~ found some references that 2820 might have been rebuilt
at some point to B23-7 specifications,
and so might be considered a dash-7 mechanically, but
still in its original U23B carbody..
havent confirmed this.
2012 - Spring 2012,
B23-7 No. 1989 is OOS with engine problems.
2012
- October - Roster update from "checkit" on
railroad.net
by CHECKIT
» Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:26 pm
As of 10/1/12:
1701 Auburn
Running AY1
1703 Geneva
Running GK2
1943 Geneva
Running Not yet in service
1989 Geneva OOS
Engine failure
2201 Geneva
Running Shop
2301 Solvay
Running SH1
2303 Geneva
Running GS2
2304 Geneva
Running GS2
2305 Ft Edward
Running G.E. Hudson River
2306 Geneva
Running Shop
2307 Geneva OOS
Engine possibly failed. Being evaluated
2308 Ft Edward
Running G.E. Hudson River (2308 is still in Camas Prarie
Blue & yellow paint)
2309 Himrod
Running HG2
2310 Geneva
Running GY1
2300 Geneva
Bought for parts
2820 Geneva
Bought for parts
708 Geneva
Running, private owner, not in service
2012
- November - FGLK B23-7 1943 is in service.
2012
- December.
The leased EMD SW9, GRSX 708,is
for sale.
2013 - April - Roster update from "checkit"
on railroad.net
by CHECKIT
» Sat Apr 06, 2013 8:30 pm
Scot,
Here's a few clarifications on some of the questions
lately.
GCK 154 is definitely the former Salt City Ventures #2
(Trigen, Suez etc.)
#1 is still on the property at Suez, will be GCK 153
and is sold and will move out when made safe to do so.
901 is still on the property at Suez. No plans for it
yet.
The former Alco now in use will see service until coal
is done in the summer. I was thinking it was
re-engined with a Detroit Diesel, but that was on
hearsay and it could well be a Cummins.
In Geneva, the 2310 has been in service for several
months. It has lately been the GY1 switcher power as
U23B 2201 undergoes some repairs.
The 1989 has been OOS for about a year now after a
failed conrod bearing scored the crank. It may be
repaired at some point.
2307 suffered a similar fate a few months later, and
will donate parts for now. Status uncertain.
2300 and 2820 were secured for parts.
1943 is in service and working pretty well after
initial repairs after receiving it from the Conway
Scenic. Nicknamed "Rusty" ! In time it will receive
body work and touch-up.
Finger Lakes opted to invest money into engine warming
systems to save fuel, over spending on painting, but
painting could take place here and there going
forward.
Hope this helps answer some questions!
2013 - May -
Now here is something
different! :) In May 2013 two large and unusual
beasts turned up on the FGLK..Two leased SD40M-2's!
http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T25m6RxGIK4
The two units are currently classed as SD40M-2
units, but they began life as SD45's, and they are
still in their SD45 carbodies today. So externally
they look like classic SD45's. The two units are
CEFX 3124 and 3126:
CEFX 3124
Built in 1968 as Southern Pacific SD45 8954.
Rebuilt by SP to SP SD45R 7516
2001 -
to CEFX SD40M-2 3124, repainted into CEFX blue.
2013 - May,
leased by FGLK.
CEFX 3126
Built in Feb 1969 as Southern Pacific SD45 9006.
Rebuilt by SP to SP SD45R 7480
1999 -
to CEFX SD40M-2 3126, repainted into CEFX blue.
2013 - May,
leased by FGLK.
2013 - May - FGLK 1701 and
2304 are leased to the Ethanol Plant
in Fulton, NY.
2013 - October - FGLK 2310
gets painted
in FGLK Lightning Stripes,
losing her ATSF Warbonnet.
2013 - November - FGLK is
no longer running scheduled excursion trains for the
general
public,
but
they
did
run
a
few
private excursion trains
for
groups
in
2013.
Including
Santa trains
for Victor Friends
of the Railroad on November 30, 2013.
2014 - February -
SW9 No. 708 was sold and left Geneva in February
2014.
Sold
to a new owner in Ohio.
2014 - July - The
former FGLK 1702 is for sale at Ozark Mountain
Railcar.
1702 is one of
the original trio of FGLK GP9's that started out the
FGLK roster in 1995.
She returned
to corporate relative Farmrail in 2008.
Looks like
Farmrail has been upgrading with GP38's, and is
selling off the old GP9's.
http://www.ozarkmountainrailcar.com/detail.asp?id=1519&n=EMD-GP9-1702
2014 -
September - 2308 is spotted for the first time in
fresh FGLK paint, back home in Geneva.
losing
her
Camas
Prairie blue & yellow paint.
2014 -
October - between October and December 2014 the two
"Bluebirds" left FGLK.
These
were
the
two
SD40M-2 leasers, in SD45 carbodies, CEFX 3124 and
3126, that operated
with
FGLK
about
a
year and a half, May 2013 to December 2014. Photos
online show the 3124
was
still
running
with
FGLK on October 2, 2014, and she was photographed in
Buffalo on
November
6,
having
left
FGLK and heading out to her next aassignment. 3126
was last
seen
with
FGLK
on
December 5, 2014.
Clearly they both left because the SD38-2's were
on the way!
2014 -
November - News first hits
the internet about new units coming to FGLK!
Two SD38-2's!
2014 - December - First
photo of one of the SD38-2's is on-line..unit
is in full FGLK lightning stripes! :)
2014 - December 9 -
GMTX 3303, the first of the new FGLK SD38-2's is
dropped off by CSX in Solvay.
2014 - At some point
in 2014, three of the four FGLK
units that were "away on assignment" returned to
Geneva. In 2013, the four units were:
GP9 1701 - In
Fulton at the Ethanol plant.
GP9 1703 - In
Fort Edward at the Hudson River dredging project.
B23-7 2304 -
In Fulton at the Ethanol plant.
B23-7 2305 - In Fort Edward at the
Hudson River dredging project.
At
some
point
in
2014, 1701, 1703 and 2305
returned to Geneva. only 2304 remained in Fulton.
2015 - Finger Lakes
Railway's 20th anniversary year! :)
2015 - February 12 -
the second SD38-2, GMTX 3301, is spotted in Selkirk.
For the next month,
CSX would tow the unit back and forth across upstate
NY, between Selkirk, Buffalo, and perhaps even back
into Ohio! utterly failing to drop it off for FGLK.
2015 - March - After
three years OOS and stored in Geneva, B23-7 No. 1989
is returned to service!
2015 - March - OOS
units based on my own observations in March and
April 2015:
1703
is behind the shop, appears OOS.
Three-unit
dead line along 5&20 contains 2207, 2820, 2300.
a
second group stored further east along 5&20 is
1701 and 2310.
2015 - March 18 -
finally! after FIVE weeks of touring western NY with
CSX, the second SD38-2,
GMTX
3301,
is
dropped
off
for FGLK at Solvay.
2015 - March - The
heritage of 3303 has been worked out:
GMTX SD38-2 3303:
Built as Burlington
Northern SD40-2 8130, June 1980.
to FURX SD40-2 8130, around 2002.
(FURX 8130 is from the units blue card, thanks to
"terms-d" on railroad.net
for that info)
Rebuilt at Progress Rail, Paducah KY, in 2014,
de-turboed and re-classed as a SD38-2,
still in full SD40-2 carbody. Emerged from the shop
as GMTX 3303, painted in FGLK lightning stripes,
on long-term lease to FGLK. delivered to FGLK at
Solvay on December 9, 2014.
The heritage of 3301
is still unknown.
In March 2015 there
is still speculation about a possible third SD38-2
for FGLK. At this time, it is not known if that is
fact or fiction.
FGLK have GMTX 3301
and 3303..there is also a 3302! which was also
rebuilt from a SD40-2 into a SD38-2, same rebuild as
her sisters 3301 and 3303..however the 3302 was
repainted into fresh GMTX blue paint, and is
lettered for Louis Dreyfus commodities:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmir_321/15019356513/
This suggests (but
does not prove) that there perhaps is not a third
unit coming for FGLK.
2015 - April 24 -
The third SD38-2 is confirmed! number 3304. Her
existance was uncertain until she
was dropped at Solvay for FGLK.
On April 24,
2015,
3301 and 3303 headed to Solvay to pick up
their identical triplet sibling 3304, and the three
units then headed back to Geneva with 3303
in the lead, followed by 3301
then 3304, running in the order they arrived on
FGLK.
About the three new
SD38-2's, May 2015:
The three
units began life as SD40-2's.
They were rebuilt at Progress Rail in Paducah,
KY, in 2014 and 2015.
They were de-turboed, and reclassified as
SD38-2's, however they have kept their full
SD40-2 carbodies, so externally they still
appear to be fairly standard SD40-2's.
They were repainted in the full FGLK lightning
stripe scheme by Progress Rail, with "Finger
Lakes Railway" spelled out on the long hood.
FGLK logos were added to the nose and rear by
FGLK in Geneva. The units are technically owned
by GMTX, they have GMTX reporting marks on the
cab, but they are on long-term lease to FGLK.
Because of the full FGLK paint and markings, and
the long-term lease, I made the decision to
include the three units on the "regular" FGLK
roster for the purposes of this webpage, and not
include them under the "leased locomotives"
list. This is a subjective call, open to
interpretation, however I feel it made more
sense to include them as "regular" units on the
FGLK roster, even though they are technically
leased. it's a gray area! ;)
As of May 2015,
only the heritage of 3303 is known. (3303 was
built as BN SD40-2 8130 in 1980)
the heritage of 3301 and 3304 is not yet known.
2015 - May 6 - for
several months in early 2015 both of the remaining
GP9's, 1701 and 1703,
were
stored
in
Geneva and not operating. With the arrival of the
new SD38-2's there
was
speculation that they might be retired permanently.
this was not the case!
1701
was spotted operating on a road train on May 6,
2015. so at least one of the
primordial GP's is back in service.
2017 - February 15 -
Less than two years after the arrival of the three
SD38-2's, word hits
the internet
that they are
going to replaced in 2017! a trio of GP38's and/or
GP38-2's is on the way
| 2017
- |
April 14 - The first photo of the new
FGLK GP38's hits
the internet! Two FGLK GP38's number
2001 and 2002. These units were also rebuilt
and repainted at Progress Rail
in Paducah, KY, same as the SD38's. So
far, the heritage of the new units is
unknown, and it is believed there will
again, like the SD38's, be three units.
The SD38's will likely leave FGLK once
the GP38's are on board. Note that the
reporting marks on the GP38's are FGLK,
rather than GMTX, suggesting these units
will be owned by FGLK rather than being
leased. |
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