C Class back in service again !........well...

["Rod" <berlina@bigpond.com>]

Had an interesting passing conversation with a NR friend last night, and you
know the heading above seems to be half right at least.
It seems that NR had no choice but to swap the newer 81 class Locos for
early builds account Freight Rail discovered they did not own them to give
away.
Seems that NR had maintained the 817* units to a pretty good standard, but
that Freight Rail had run theirs into the ground.
So the 81's now in NR's care could reasonably be described as junk.
They could also be seen to be at least part C Class, because that's why the
C's went west, they have steadily stripped out traction motors, Alternators
and many large components to keep the 81's working. Apparently 505 is now
being stripped for spares.
Good to know that they were not just being "commercial" about their
withdrawal !
Seems NR lost big time with the 81 c/o, but that they have made up a lot of
ground, by using the bits to refurbish the 81's
Mean time forget about the C's, like rail that has been pulled up, you are
unlikely to see them again.
Rod :o{