Re:Wisconsin Central, still wants in!

[Grahame John Ferguson <grahamef@users.mcmedia.com.au>]

Wisconsin Central had bought last year 9 ex-Westrail 'L' class locomotives,
all of which could be rebuilt to microprocessor standards for standard gauge
work.  As far as I know they are still in storage in Perth.  Wisconsin
Central's policy is to rebuild EMD type locomotives rather than buy new.
The only exception was in Britain where the mechanical state of the British
made locomotives and their limited fuel range did not make them a good
candidate for rebuilding.
        The L class are not readily gauge convertable, as they were not
built with 5'3" bogie frames like the C class.  Extra locomotives can be
sourced from companies like Silverton, who also hire freight wagons(as they
did to Austrac).
        There are also companies who specialise in rail maintenance and
upgrading such as RTS in Melbourne, who can rebuild the L class if WC can
not do it themselves in Australia.  Re-engining with 710 engines is not out
of the question as SD90MACs in the US are having their 710 engines replaced
with 256H engines.
        Freight wagons can be sourced from the US, either from its own
railroads or another 2nd hand source, and reprofiled to Australian loading
gauge, such as when AN bought TOFC wagons in the early 80's.
        So there is no reason why WC/ATN can not join in on the mainland
competition.