Here is a roof shot since David brought it up. I went and asked if they would allow me climb up top and get some roof shots for me and fellow modelers. Took a little bit because there was no one to be there in case I fell off the thing. I finally got the go ahead. Kind of a "I don't know anything" kind of agreement. Once again, great people down there! Here are the boiler stacks David mentioned.
Nice pictures. I wonder if the dead salmon picture on the fuel tank might be to depict that something the railroad is leaking is killing salmon? Nasty runnoff from a yard somewhere?
From an anonymous (yet very knowledgeable) source. “In fact, the 1503 was used only as a power car for the past few years. The prime mover just idled to provide the battery charging necessary for the HEP plant, but it did run. The only reason it was not put on line was that transition did not work. Otherwise the wheel situation was the only other problem that I can recall. I do believe at least some of those wheel defects were FRA condemnable and if so, and if the unit was shipped on its own wheels rather than on a flatcar, would have had to have been corrected before it left Alaska.”
Very nice! The Kashwitna was ex-ATSF 553, BTW; according to: http://www.trainweb.org/web_lurker/ATSFf/
Update on the Alaska F-7b (1503). everything is "go" to keep the b unit. it's in the shop, new batteries have been ordered, and it's going to be sanded and prepped for paint. the HEP (head end power) generator is the problem, but looks fixable. they are going to replace the missing (one of four) radiator fans and remove the winterization hatch. i'll try to get progress pictures (if i can) as work continues. this B unit will be welcome addition. also -- it's definately "go" on the SD-7 repaint. who knows, maybe we'll all just love it! it is slated to be repainted sometime within the year. all for now. dave f.
It's good to know that mechanical problems appear to be minimal. Interesting they'd remove it's winterization hatch. In snow country? Boxcab E50