WNY&P No. 6002, formerly CSX No. 5009, has emerged in a solid black paint scheme that should make Erie Railroad fans happy. The railroad, famous for its fleet of operating six-axle Montreal Works-built Alco-type diesels, is designating the units, which have 16-cylinder, 5,800-hp Gevo motors, an AC46AH. The GEs will replace the big Alcos.
While two parts locomotives to back up the new GEs are nearing the final leg of their trip on Norfolk Southern, preparations for shipping No. 6002 are under way. It will leave the Arkansas & Missouri, where it was readied, early next week. The final two units purchased were tested after overhaul on July 23. All that remains now is paint prep and shipment of the remaining five. The units will go out one at a time about every two weeks. That will place the last ones on the WNY&P property in mid-September; they’ll arrive just in time for the last opportunities for MLW’s in pre-fall colors.
