Maryland & Delaware Short Line

Form reading from there website it seems that they are somewhat reseptive to railfans. They request you sign a release before they allow you to photograph from railroad property. This must be done at the headquarters in Ferderalsburg. Mabye if you go there and ask for a release form they would give you some information on where they might be operating that day. The worst they might do is show you the door. Just a thought. Good luck.

Thanks Forest, that's probably what I will do.  Was just hoping someone else would have info.  Sometimes, the better informed you are when going into a situation like that, the better off you are.  Particularly if they are busy that day and don't have a lot of time to devote to talking.

Mike

I wonder if they work the RAPA plant?

Mike,

How close are you to Selbyville, Berlin or Snow Hill?

They run right by my house (within a 1/4 mile anyway) 5 days a week. They blow through Berlin about 830 to 9 each day and return from 11 to 1. 

There is an engine barn in Selbyville (just north of the MD line) housing the engine. Usually grain is moved to and from Snow Hill, where they are laying over during the run...thus the time delay.

Greg

Mike,

Did you see my reply?

Greg

Hi Mike

By coincidence this is my first post as I just subscribed.

I live in Maryland in Centreville...end of the line for the Centreville Branch of Md and Del.

Lately RS-3's have been stored/used on the Centreville Line @ Massey.

There's some raifan sources and Forums (yahoo and facebook) for the Md and Del.

Hope this helps.

Pat 

Those units which you refer to as RS-3s are actually ex- Conrail RS-3m's (A/K/A AERS-12, Alco EMD Road Switcher, 1200hp)These units had their Alco 244 engines replaced with EMD 12-567-Bs out of surplus E8s in the late 1970s Look at the picture in the link below and you'll notice two stacks protruding from the middle of the engine hood and also note that the large "Helicopter" cooling fan has been replaced by 2-36" EMD cooling fans. The M&D units are "late" Conrail RS-3m's (Rebuilt at Altoona Shops)  since they lack the large "hump" seen on the earlier Dewitt Shop rebuilds.

Photo of MDDE #1203:

 http://www.mdde.com/mdde_seafo...e_1203_fedonhigh.jpg

Photo of "Dewitt Geep" CR 9955. I'd get kicked off this forum if I posted the name my railroad friends and I had for these things. Funny thing is, I'd like to see one again.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cr/cr9955ags.jpg

Isn't she beautiful.

Following their rebuilding, a number of the 9900 series RS3m units were based out of the old CNJ facility at Elizabethport. They weren't well received by crews accustomed to the rapid loading and acceleration abilities of the CNJ RS3s. In road switching service, the modified units had difficulty getting trains started and maintaining satisfactory speeds. It was thought the combination of not enough weight on the wheels and the lower horsepower rating were the prime factors contributing to these shortcomings. Recognizing the problem, the RS3ms were subsequently reassigned to yard switching duties and did not last long on the roster; however, they seem to have enjoyed more success in their second careers in short line service.

Bob