I read yesterday that the wrecked GE DC-AC "convertible wrecked several montha ago has a bent frame and UP is supplying another frame for the rebuild. NS will get the other needed parts from their bone pile or Cresson Steel, probably. Anyone else heard anything. Will really be interesting to see how this "new" 4001 will work out.
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Large back shops are pretty creative in repairing wrecks. They buy some new parts, use cannibalized or remanufactured parts, and they cut and bend their own sheet metal replacements. I used to look at a page on the BNSF internal network called Topeka Wrecks when I was still working. It's surprising how expensive or inexpensive some parts are. Some locomotives could be repaired for less than $500 after a crossing collision or a sideswipe. Others were in the tens of thousands after collisions or major derailments.
One of the most expensive individual parts I can recall was windshield glass. Back around 2005, a single piece of FRA windshield class with laminated heat strip was $1500 and up. Today that has probably increased.
They might bring in Mitch as a consultant on this rebuild ?! Would be interesting to see a list of parts etc , plus cost and labor but will never happen. Will it be an ""as time allows" project ?? What paint scheme ?? Prbably black.
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