| CSS&SB GP7 615 at Michigan City, Indiana, October, 1980, photo by Chuck Zeiler. Admittedly a bad photo, it was shot from a passing train. Number 615 was built in October 1952 as FEC GP7 615 (c/n 17352) on EMD Order 6416. The South Shore had eight GP7's from parent C&O in the late-1970's, and as the electric freight locomotives were gradually retired, there came a neeed for additional diesel power, so three GP7's were acquired from the FEC. The following is recalled by J. D. Santucci (Hot Times On The High Iron at railroad.net): These three units (#'s 614, 615, 618) had been stored for quite some time before coming to the South Shore. They were in poor mechanical shape. Unlike the former C&O Geeps, these units were never repainted or renumbered. They carried their FEC 600 series numbers up to the end of their days on the South Shore. With the addition of the former FEC units, all remaining electric locomotives except the Little Joe’s were retired. The Engineers at the Shore often spoke of their disdain for these Geeps. They complained of their poor mechanical and electrical condition and frequent problems encountered with their operation. They told of the former FEC units being infested with mice while stored in Florida. The mice apparently made the trip to Indiana. Wiring was badly damaged by these pesky critters. |