The concept behind these "Primer Gray" units was to move the ballast trains quickly, including leased Herzog sets, so as to keep new ballast up against the track gangs. Non-revenue ballast trains generally received low priority. So the the Purchasing Department had the power painted gray, to signify to the Operating Department to keep their hands off these units, and not put them on revenue trains. This didn't always work out, as seen here. But on the other hand, keeping PP&L happy was also important.......
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