I'd Hate to be Them.

This story is crazy. This copper is Number 2 tin plated by the way. These locomotives had to be in storage for an extended period of time. I am not going to share how much copper is in that SD40-2 but its more then a ton. The copper is over 1 and 1/2 inches thick and very hard to maneuver around. There are also wire ways that hold the wire in every foot with two bolts and multiple pieces of plastic. Some runs have 8 wires some have 4. I want to know how long it took them to do it. We usually turn the bases and strip them with the grapple. Doing it by hand would take days and days to do. They had to have help. We are a scrap yard and have all the tools available to break them down as fast as possible and I know how hard it would be to do this. Its just boggles my mind that they did 22 of them. 5.5 mill is a low low number to get these locomotives fixed. I think they are just talking about replacing the wire and not labor and time lost.

I think they have some kind of repair facility. might even be where they retire some of them,not sure.

Originally Posted by PistoneScrapProcessing

This story is crazy. This copper is Number 2 tin plated by the way. These locomotives had to be in storage for an extended period of time. I am not going to share how much copper is in that SD40-2 but its more then a ton. The copper is over 1 and 1/2 inches thick and very hard to maneuver around. There are also wire ways that hold the wire in every foot with two bolts and multiple pieces of plastic. Some runs have 8 wires some have 4. I want to know how long it took them to do it. We usually turn the bases and strip them with the grapple. Doing it by hand would take days and days to do. They had to have help. We are a scrap yard and have all the tools available to break them down as fast as possible and I know how hard it would be to do this. Its just boggles my mind that they did 22 of them. 5.5 mill is a low low number to get these locomotives fixed. I think they are just talking about replacing the wire and not labor and time lost.

after reading a few news reports, it appears that they took the easily available wiring in the engine compartment, which was still probably a lot.

I HATE breaking news, because reporters will say anything just to be the first to say it, then let the facts come out latter.

Originally Posted by MattInTheHat

after reading a few news reports, it appears that they took the easily available wiring in the engine compartment, which was still probably a lot.

I HATE breaking news, because reporters will say anything just to be the first to say it, then let the facts come out latter.

sometimes "breaking news" and "breaking wind" sound alike
depends on which channel is making the noise