| The Sunbury Generation LP power plant at Shamokin Dam Pennsylvania, owns a switcher to handle the coal cars that arrive at the plant. The heritage of the engine, SW900R 1088, is apparent from the light package on the front - This engine rolled out of EMDs factory in suburban Chicago in June 1954 as Southern Pacific SW900 4627, wearing the attractive "zebra stripe" orange, silver and black paint scheme. In 1965 SP renumbered it to 1173, and rebuilt it to an SW900R in October 1974, which also warranted a new number: SP 1194. The mighty SP retired this engine in December 1986, and ten months later sold it to Levin Metals in Richmond, CA. Levin in turn sold it to National Railway Equipment Corporation, who sold it in 1990 to Pennsylvania Power & Light Company, who numbered it 1088. Along with new paint, of course, other modifications to this engine by its new owners include the addition of a snowplow on each end, spark arrestors and a rebuilt cab roof in order to clear the power plants equipment - But the old SP light package and hood-mounted numberboards remain! (Photo taken on private property with permission and wearing full PPE.) |