Author: fredkharrison I was surprised to recently learn that the Yreka Western is selling off its colorful MRS-1 #244. Built in 1953 by ALCO as a MRS-1 for the U.S. Military, it has friction bearings, 6-SL brake valves, 64 volt electrical system, COT&S date 9/1/2005, hot water cab heaters, electric reverser, prime mover is 12-244-D turbo charged, traction motors GE 731-F, main alternator 5-GT-581, aux gen GE GY27, 1600 H.P., 74:18 gear ratio, C-C trucks, 240,000 total weight, but the steam generator removed. I have recently seen this locomotive in operation. They say it is very clean and a strong runner, with a current blue card, and in daily service. When I watched the MRS-1 run last October, she was impressive, even though I'm she is well past her prime, but would not have then imagined she would be up for sale now. The $35,000 asking price for such an Alco as this is cheap, considering her half million dollar 1952 building price tag and how well she looks cosmetically. A reliable source told me that the Yreka Western was looking to obtain a GP-9, return the leased SD-9 and repair the SW-8 # 21 using parts from SW-8 #20. The YW really needs 2 good diesel-electrics in operable condition, unless they plan to keep the Mikado on standby for freight service throughout the year. But, hey, where else can you find steam freight service still available?
Am trying to think of who might be the best prospect for such a purchase? Who could best put that unit to good use? Boxcab E50
She's perty and cots and blue card! all for 35K. What a steal! the rub is she has friction barring trucks so she could not do interchange work and would cost a fortune to move. Even if a class one would let you do a hospital move you would probably put out about 20K or more just to ship her. I know where there are two more MRS-1's. They are in Hagerstown, MD and we have the same problem with ours. I dig the paint job.
The Nevada Northern has two MRS-1s in storage on their property- might be nice to have one refurbed & running for the diesel trains to spell the RS3 that they use.
That's a steep price for an MRS-1, especially a non-EMD model. The Chehalis & Centralia in Washington couldn't get rid of one for a third that price and found it was worth more money parted out than as a whole locomotive.
The NNRy actually has two operable Alco road switchers, plus an ex-SP SD-9 they inherited from BHP Nevada Rail when they pulled out back in 1999. The story behind that paint job...that was one of two MRS-1 units in the Portola Railroad Museum collection. Back in the 1993/1994 time frame Bryan Whipple struck a deal to purchase both of those units for use on his Northern Nevada Railroad, which at the time looked to be the new operator for the old Nevada Northern. This unit got Whipple's paint job. However, before the two could leave for Nevada Whipple exited the NNRy scene, which led to the creation of BHP Nevada Rail. This unit remained in Portola until the YW purchased it...and even then it sat in Portola for another year or two while they tried to find a way to get it to Yreka without having to load it on a flatcar. UP refused to handle the unit due to the friction trucks, and eventually it had to go on a flat. Back in 1984 Whipple started up the Eureka Southern Railroad, which he ran until it entered bankruptcy protection in December 1986. For those who remember the EUKA...note how similar this paint scheme is. Jeff Moore Elko, NV
If I can make the new RailImages work, (first attempt at posting) here's a photo of 244 at the time of delivery .. CORP / Yreka Western interchange, Montague, California: <img>http://www.railimages.com/albums/billkillion/aag.jpg</img> Hmmmm .. It appears that I'll have to do a little research. I will post it later.
Let's see if this works. I know Bill was there when that unit arrived on the YW and maybe that's what his photo shows.
Jeff, I was working in Ely in the summer of 2002, and I concur about the SD9- at that time, the only running Alco diesel I saw was the 109, an RS3. IS the RS2 working now as well? And besides the two MRS1s, there was an RS3 from the Magma Arizona and a couple of 70-tonners in storage back then as well. IIRC, the SD9 is in a blue & yellow livery. The Alco RSs are orange, while the MRS1s are in US Army colors (black). But that's been almost 5 years ago- beside the 40 and 93 (which I rode behind), which are the steamers in service, what diesels do they have now? (Yep, remember the Baldwin diesel switchers)
Friscobob- As far as I know both of the Alco road switchers are up and running. I could be wrong, however. The two 70-tonners are gone, sold to the Modesto & Empire Traction and trucked out. The MRS-1's and the ex-Magma RS remain in Ely in storage. Other dormant diesels include the two Baldwins and that little GE 35-ton. Jeff Moore Elko, NV
Friscobob, at RailCamp last summer, the RS2 and RS3, along with the SD9E were up and running, there was some speculation about maybe eventually working on the MRS1s to make them operable. BTW, the NNRy crew didn't like the SD9E. Also, got to "switch" in the ore yard with one of the RSs, can't remeber which. Also rode in the cab of 40 from the wye up near the mine to East Ely on the Sat. that RailCamp ended. Won't ever forget that, she is quite a throughbred!
When I was in Ely, the 40 was in the shop for boiler repairs, but the 93 was running the trains up to Keystone. Loved to hear it talk as the train headed uphill from the NN yard. I also had the chance and permission to roam thru the shops and saw another steamer, as well as a rotary plow and a Baldwin switcher. I'm a little amused at the remarks on the SD9E, as NN had an SD7 for the trains to Cobre & Shafter back when Kennecott was running.
Friscobob, I believe the SD9E had something wrong with it, leaked too much oil or something. Can't totally remember. Only loco there with dynamics I believe.
In August 2006 my boy and I went to Ely to do some railfanning. The RS-2 was in the shop getting its wheels turned. The RS-3 was running on the afternoon passenger train and #40 ran in the morning on the west end of the line. At that time they told me that the MRS-1's had an asbestos issue to be taken care of before they put them back in service. They had a third steamer in the shop that was going to get rebuilt from the rail up, don't remember the number without searching my pictures. The SD9 was throwing oil so they tried to use it as little as possible. A good group of people there running the operation. Too bad it's so far Reno, would like to do more over there. Greg Elems
