“We plan to continue to use (the Alco C415s) on a regular basis,” Director of Operations Jonathan Wingate tells Trains News Wire. “The MK1500s were needed for fleet expansion, not replacement.” C415 No. 702 is in Quincy, while No. 701, in full Burlington Junction red paint, resides upriver in Burlington, Iowa.
“We are evaluating the performance and maintenance demands for (the MK1500D) units,” Wingate says. “They are much cleaner running and more fuel efficient than the older EMD engines.” The
The MK1500Ds, which were built by MK Rail in the mid-1990s, have a single Caterpillar 3512 engine and entered service on the Burlington Junction in the first half of 2019. Nos. 9628 and 9630 have been painted; Nos. 9626 and 9631 still carry blue and silver paint of prior owner Houston Belt & Terminal.
The units were stored for several months in Texas, and observers can see some of the corrosion caused by being close to the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, some of the window seals and gaskets have been replaced due to water leaks, but overall the engines are in good mechanical shape.
“We are opportunistic in our locomotive purchases, if they are the right price and in the right condition for our application we will acquire them,” Wingate adds.
In July, David Fredrick, Burlington Junction’s Manager of Safety, was filing an engineer’s vacancy as he worked in the Quincy yard. “I love ’em, they are quick to load, have great visibility and the air conditioning is so good it can drive you out of the cab,” he says. “They are great for flat switching, a perfect fit for us.”
