FM Trainmasters

[NW Mailing List]

Bruce,

Thanks for your inquiry which has brought forth a very interesting discussion.

Let me start by saying that the info I presented was definitely not from memory, nor from railroad records, but gleaned from the July and August, 1976 issues of Roanoke Chapter's newsletter "Turntable Times". Therefore, I do not have any specific records, other than a simple list of TM numbers and their corresponding slug numbers. 

I do remember the rumors of the day that floated around concerning the "deliberate" non-action toward saving the 173, and I personally would not rule that out. I just don't think we will ever see any "smoking gun" documentation.

In a later post, I appreciate the further clarification by Robb Fisher regarding specific dates of the program, numbers, classes, etc. Robb, you obviously have much more specific info than I do. I did find a note in my records that the 173 wasn't converted until 1981, which you verified for me.

Jeff Sanders



 ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: NW Mailing List 
  To: NW Mailing List 
  Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 10:49 PM
  Subject: Re: FM Trainmasters


  On Sun, Mar 16, 2008 at 12:10 AM, Jeff wrote:



    At the time of the 173's last run and retirement the N&W was already two years into a program which was cutting down former Virginian and Wabash Trainmasters for conversion into yard/hump slugs. The 173 was simply waiting its turn. It was certainly hoped that the railroad might spare the 173, especially since they had already designated several EMD units for slug conversion. 

  Thank you, Jeff, for shedding some light on what actually happened. Now, was this conversion program documented somewhere? Are there records or memos somewhere that might make their way to the archives? Lists of engines slated for conversion? Things like this will make it easier on folks in the future who are trying to figure what happened near the end of the last century.

  Bruce in Blacksburg






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