Re: What should the Frisco have purchased next??? That is twisted though, I mean to put any conditions on the donation of a locomotive to ensure it would not be repainted as delivered? That is just crazy bad. Tom Holley
Frisco would have most likely resisted six axle power until the 1990's. EMD's 50 series had issues, both mechanical & electrical. B36-7 would be one option as Frisco like high horse power 4 axle locomotives. If Frisco wanted home built low horse power I believe removing the turbos from the GP-35's would filled that need as additional new high HP road units would have pushed the GP-35's to secondary use. I can't see any major rebuilding program of 1st generation power. Repowering he Alco units proved to be an unwise decision. GP60's with the then new 710 prime mover and better electronics were introduced in 1985. GE's dash 8 series with the B40-8 was available a year earlier. In the late 1980's tonnage increased and the number of trains decreased. This to reduce labor cost. It also made 6 axle power the better option. Frisco would have followed the other RR's. Another question that should be considered is "WHAT IF" Santa Fe & Frisco merged? Maybe even took over Rock Island's Memphis to Tucumcari line. Kenneth