I have posted questions about the GP39 at the following links:
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?2,1498636
http://www.railroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20158

In the April 1992 issue of Trains magazine, there is an article "Run 8 to Apex" by Kevin EuDaly. Apex was located on the Johns Creek subdivision in Kentucky. In Kevin's article, he briefly talks about the C&O locomotives assigned this coal hauling division. From his pictures, it looks like the C &O used GP7/9's, GP38's and GP39's to haul cool over the Johns Creek sub. The ride up to Apex hit 3% causing these units to run in the red zone in run 8 with wheels slipping and engines screaming off the mountains.

While out today taking pictures, I had a chance to find a GP39. It not too often that you find a GP39 on any Class 1 railroad today. EMD only produced 23 units; 20 ended up on the C&O. No long hauling coal in Kentucky, CSX 4298 (C&O 3918) is now configured as a remote control unit.
I wonder if this unit ever had to go over Apex........

I created a "pen" name, Boomer Hoghead. My favorite author inspired me, Samuel Clemens. Most boys of his era who grew up along the great Mississippi dreamed of working on a steamboat and maybe becoming a river captain. So I guess that while learning the trade and terms of being a riverboat man, he picked his pen name. Mark Twain" (meaning "Mark number two") was a Mississippi River term: the second mark on the line that measured depth signified two fathoms, or twelve feet—safe depth for the steamboat. So what that in mind, I searched for a suitable railroad name. I decided to combine two terms from the railroad. Boomer is a person who has worked for many railroads due to the lack of work on the roads. Hoghead is a old term for engineer. So I just combined the two to form Boomer Hoghead.


Over at Trainorders.com, there is a post at about the term Boomer. Check it out at http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,1454469

Here is a post about a F40 being used in work train service. I never liked what Amtrak did to these locomotives to make them ready for freight service.
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,1454008

I am current in the state of Kentucky on I75. I must admit while riding in the car, I have been pondering the old days. Yes, them days when there was passenger trains to take you to cities far and near, big and small, rich and poor. These days are long gone. Most of us either drive or fly. We love traveling this way that Greyhound is feeling the hurt. I just heard a few stories from my mother about riding the bus down south to visit family. She makes it seem like 100 years ago but it was just the 60's. With gas prices hovering over 3 dollars and some folks saying that this might be the year of 4, something must be done. Another fuel source or a band new type of engine that will allow you to travel 200 miles on a single gallon. I don't want to tell my grand kids about the good days of driving my Chevy across country in a car powered by gas, telling them about the smell of it and the different types.

Over at Trainorders.com, there is a post about an Amtrak water rumor; http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,1415509

I have been on many Amtrak trains that have been filled at many different points while in route and never seen or heard anything like this before. By no means do I think this rumor is true.