VMV update (Paducah, KY)

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1 total messages Started by Cliff Downey Sun, 04 Jun 1995 00:00

#4149

Author: Cliff Downey
Date: Sun, 04 Jun 1995 00:00

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VMV Enterprises (which operates the ex-IC backshop at Paducah, KY) is now
painting the second order of Santa Fe SD75M's.  AT&SF 226 left town
yesterday morning (Sat. June 3) after being painted in the gorgeous warbonnet
paint scheme at VMV.  Later in the day, AT&SF 232 and 233 arrived in town,
and will probably be moved to VMV on Monday.

NYS&W SD70M's 4050, 4052, and 4054 are _still_ at VMV.  All have been
painted and lettered, and look great.  I'm not certain why these engines
are still at VMV.  4050 arrived in mid-April, with the others following
about a week later.  VMV has painted a number of new locomotives for EMD,
but none have stayed as long as the Susie Q's.  One local railfan suggests
that the financing hasn't been completed, but I can't confirm that.  4052
is sitting outside the "tank shop", while 4050 and 4054 are near the paint
shop coupled to a Helm Leasing SD45-2.

VMV has resumed rebuilding the dozen or so FNM (Mexican national railroad)
that are in Paducah.  Rebuilding stopped after Mexico failed to pay for
the work already done.  Also, last fall, several workers from Mexico were
at Paducah for training, and racked up a $5000 phone bill by calling
relatives back home.  

Additionally, VMV is still performing warranty work to BN SD70MAC's. 
Several minor modifications are being done to these engines.

Other work being done at VMV includes overhauls to Helm Leasing
locomotives, as well as the rebuilding of CSX SD45's into KCS "SD40's"
(the rebuilt locomotives keep the flared radiators, but have a 16 cylinder
engine).

Another interesting sight in Paducah this weekend (although it's not
related to VMV) was Sperry Rail Services car 131, which was checking the
Paducah & Louisville Railway mainline east of town.  The car returned to
Paducah around noon on Saturday and was supposed to leave town on the BN
after fueling up.  However, this morning (sunday, june 4) the car was
still in Paducah, and the crew was still in the car, sleeping.

That's it for now.  The NYS&W SD70M's should leave sometime this week, and
when they do, I'll post the news.  Get those cameras ready and stock 'em
with film!

Cliff Downey   Murray, KY
cdowney@racer1.mursuky.edu
bj359@freenet.carleton.ca

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