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Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad (RBMN) spent 2001's last two quarters and the first quarter of 2002 improving its locomotive fleet by purchasing several six-axle, high-horsepower, dynamic-brake equipped locomotives to either supplement or replace motive-power units.
The 309-mile short line in June purchased through a Norfolk Southern Railway auction one SD40, two C30-7s and one C36-7; in August purchased from Union Pacific Railroad one SD40-2; and in September purchased through a UP auction three SD50s, one SD40-2T and one SD45-2.
RBMN in December also purchased from UP one SD50, one SD40-2, and one C30-7 to act a parts-supply base, enabling the railroad to better maintain other locomotives.
More recently, the short line in February purchased through a UP auction three SD40-2s and one B30-7A, and in March, per another UP auction, acquired one SD50, one SD40-2 and one C30-7.
RBMN officials believe the additional 17 locomotives — including newer and more-efficient General Motors Corp. Electro-Motive Division SD50s and SD40-2s — will enable the railroad to boost train speed and better handle traffic-volume increases, according to a statement prepared March 21.