Re: [CBQ] 1960s red+black MU diesel lashups

["Tom Mack via groups.io" <thommack=yahoo.com@groups.io>]

Having extensively researched Q lashups on the C&I from 1965 to the BN-merger, the main reason for seeing fewer blackbirds was simply that the primary power was 2nd generation diesels once the SD24's and GP20's started arriving. Very few GP7/9's and SD7/9's appeared on road trains after the SD24/GP20/GP30/GP35's started arriving. With a GP30/35 (2250/2500 HP) or SD24 (2400 HP) you got a major HP boost with just a single unit from the GP/SD7 1500 HP or even GP9/SD9 1750 HP. Also the SD7/9's were good low speed pullers, hence you see them a lot on Illinois coal trains (which did not get up past the GB&W/Q interchange at E Winona until perhaps just before the BN merger) or on Lines West.

 

Another issue with the GP7/9's that could have come into play was the lack of dynamic brakes. That's one reason you would probably rarely see a GP7/9 leading on the C&I. Even if the rest of a consist was DB equipped, there was no DB control in a GP7/9. While you still had pass through of the DB signal through the standard 27-pin MU, without a control lever in a GP7/9 cab, you totally disable the DB  potential. So you can put it later in the consist and gain the HP and loose just the GP7/9 DB if you put one back in the consist.

 

Here is a list of all the GP7 and SD7/9 along with paint scheme I have photo evidence or written evidence of on the C&I from 1965 to the BN merger (note I have no photo evidence of a GP9 on the line from Chicago to St Paul). The photo evidence is noted as well if you have any Burlington Bulletins, BRHS Zephyrs, or the CB&Q 4 Ways West or Morning Sun CB&Q books by Mike Spoor (e.g. Q2/59 is Mike Spoors CB&Q in Color Vol. 2 page 59).

 

 

201 GP7 (R)           

202 GP7 (B)         Q2/64                   

206 GP7                                               

210 GP7 (R)         TotZ/48                               

217 GP7 (B)         eBay                     

218 GP7 (B)         Q2/59                   

225 GP7 (R)         Q2/58    eBay      LSA

226 GP7 (B)         BR2/49                 

226 GP7 (R)         TotZ/84                               

233 GP7 (R)         Zeph93/8                            

242 GP7 (R)         Q2/63                   

243 GP7 (R)         BRHS18-02                         

245 GP7 (R)         eBay      LSA        

246 GP7 (B)         BB68/59                              

248 GP7 (R-WSS)              RCWWW                             

250 GP7 (B)         Q2/64    Q2/110

252 GP7 (R)         BB68/59                              

253 GP7 (R)         BB64/12                              

255 GP7 (R)         LxP                        

259 GP7 (R)         Oregon, IL           BRHS    

                                               

303 SD7 (R)         eBay                     

307 SD7 (R)         eBay      eBay     

314 SD7 (B)         eBay      eBay     

                                               

339 SD9 (R)         eBay                     

344 SD9 (B)         HDS 01-30-70                    

                                               

445 SD9s (R)       BB48/39                              

452 SD9s (B)       BB48/39                              

 

Note that any photos of WB trains or locomotives sitting in the Savanna E/F may not have made it to the Q/GB&W interchange in E Winona. Eastbound trains north/west of Savanna probably crossed the GB&W interchange.

 

Here is the only confirmed lashup I have for your request. It is eastbound Train 88 in April 1967. The photo can be found in Mike Spoor's CB&Q in Color Volume 2 page 110:

 

CB&Q 981 GP35, 946 GP30, Unk# GP30, 250 GP7 (Black)

 

There is a two unit consist photo in the Four Ways West book "Rail Competition Along Wisconsin's Western Wall" in Trevino, WI in November 1969 with red CB&Q 248 GP7 leading a CB&Q U25C or U28C. Both units in red, but a very unique lashup, and note that the GP7 in this case is leading a DB equipped GE. 

 

Here is one lashup that is photo confirmed from December 14, 1969 which no doubt passed by the GB&W interchange, but doesn't exactly fit you red/black preference:

 

CB&Q 464 U23C (green/white), CB&Q 252 GP7 (red), CB&Q 246 GP7 (black), GN 405 SD45 (orange) - quite the interesting mix!!

 

Another lashup in December 1966 at the Rochelle diamonds but did it make it past Savanna if WB or did it come from north of Savanna if EB? Also has a red GP7/9 not a black one (unit is too far back in consist to identify whether a GP7 or GP9) so an all red lashup:

 

CB&Q 957 GP30, Unk# GP35/40, Unk# GP30, Unk# GP7/9 (Red)

 

--

Tom Mack
Cincinnati, OH
Modeling Chicago-Mpls/StP 1965-merger

_._,_._,_

---

Groups.io Links:

You receive all messages sent to this group.

View/Reply Online (#66808) | Reply To Group | Reply To Sender | Mute This Topic | New Topic
Your Subscription | Contact Group Owner | Unsubscribe [archives@nauer.org]

_._,_._,_