The cost of fuel is a questionable justification. Those locomotives are not free; their purchase prive alone would buy a LOT of oil. Then, coal isn't free, either. So the saving is in the difference in the fuel cost, minus the purchase price -- THEN you can start on the complications Ken brings forth . . . augmented by more questions: who will inspect the boilers? Who will reflue them? And on and on . . . Randy Brown - -------------------------------------------------------------- Good question. The story (rumor?) which I heard was that the cost of fuel was the driving factor. However, considering that it will now take a 3-person crew, significant extra maintenance, considerable waste disposal storage space and removal cost, etc., the economics of fuel alone do not make it. Also, are not the Chinese steam locos built with the engineer's seat on the left? Wonder what brakestand comes with it? Back to a 6-ET knockoff? Who in the U.S. will test and certify Chinese brakestands, as required by the FRA? Again, good question. Ken Bush The Erie Lackawanna Mailing List Sponsored by the ELH&TS http://www.elhts.org ------------------------------
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