A&M going to EMD (Caterpillar)

r_i_straw · Jul 2, 2013

Running out of Alcos.

SPRINGDALE, Ark. – Arkansas & Missouri's all-Alco locomotive roster will end later this year when the railroad accepts delivery of three SD70ACes from EMD. The 139-mile short line operates between Monett, Mo., and Fort Smith, Ark., and is famous for its fleet of Alco's hauling tonnage over the Ozark Mountains.

EMD is selling three of its demonstrator SD70ACes to the short line, Nos. 1201-1203. SD70ACe No. 1201 is the EMD demonstrator painted in Caterpillar colors that was unveiled at Caterpillar's exhibit at MINExpo this past fall in Las Vegas, Nev.

Arkansas & Missouri's Chairman Reilly McCarren tells Trains News Wire that the railroad had looked into acquiring AC locomotives in the past, but could not justify their acquisition until now.

The 139-mile railroad was originally part of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad that became part of Burlington Northern. Burlington Northern sold the line to A&M in 1986. The railroad's south end has grades that reach 2.7 percent, making AC traction attractive to A&M. McCarren says the new units will come equipped with distributed power, allowing the railroad to increase tonnage on its existing trains without exceeding the drawbar limits on the grades.

McCarren says, due to the high utilization of their road power, the three new SD70ACes will handle the road freight duties for the entire railroad. Current operations have a turn starting in Springdale in the early morning, making a round trip to Monett and back. Later in the evening, the road power off the Monett turn heads south from Springdale making an overnight turn to Fort Smith, returning in time for the power to begin the cycle again.

With new locomotives will come a new paint scheme. McCarren says the corporate colors used on the existing locomotive fleet will not change, but the design will. A&M employees requested a more modern look for the locomotives, which will be applied to the EMDs. Road numbers for the new locomotives will be Nos. 70-72 and are expected to arrive in September. Once delivered, A&M plans to retire a number of Alcos in its fleet.

All three SD70ACes have been sent to Progress Rail's Mayfield, Ky., shop for installation of distributed power and painting prior to delivery to A&M.
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BoxcabE50 · Jul 2, 2013

I hope their old ALCos will find a new home, rather than a scrappers torch.

friscobob · Jul 2, 2013

Most likely Alcos will still be used as local power in Springdale/Fayetteville and Ft. Smith/Van Buren, but it sounds like the days of 251 prime movers slugging it out up & over the Boston Mountains from Van Buren north are numbered. Anyone for a road trip to NW Arkansas?

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A&M going to EMD (Caterpillar)

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