Vermont Rail System has been fully utilizing the newly-arrived Providence & Worcester/VRS jointly-leased GMTX SD60 #9000, which was originally built as the EMD #3 demonstrator and eventually retro-fitted with HTC-Radial/Steerable trucks, before becoming the OWY/EMDX 9041. The GMTX #9000 is seen leading Vermont Railway GP38-2 202 in Washington County RR paint and the CLP GP38-2 204 on a Green Mountain Railroad train #263 across the famous Rutland Railroad 'hanging bridge' at Cuttingsville, Vermont. Despite 150 miles of geographical separation, Vermont Rail System (VRS) and Providence and Worcester Railroad (PW) have enjoyed a close relationship for several decades. Beginning with freight marketing of the Green Mountain Gateway route in 1995, the affiliation continues to benefit in ways to include efficiencies in operations, equipment, freight and excursion sales, etc. “Now, since both PW and VRS have existing leasing relationships with the GATX Locomotive Group, we have reviewed motive power synergies collectively with GATX on how to better serve our customers on a cost effective basis. This is exemplified by recently acquired SD60 #9000.” said David Wulfson, President of VRS. The big, blue unit is unique in that it is jointly leased by VRS and PW. During the winter months the locomotive will aid in the movement of heavy shipments of road salt travelling over the Green Mountain Gateway from Whitehall, New York, to Bellows Falls, Vermont. In the summer, the PW will put the unit to use hauling stone from Connecticut to Long Island.
