Here's a photo of the first addition to the YWRR roster in over 35 years. It's an ALCO RS-1 (year unknown at this writing). A 6 axle, 1,800 horsepower military unit with "adjustable wheels" that can be changed to run on any guage rail ! (Don't ask me how that's done because I don't know yet). It arrived at our Montague, CA interchange on Friday 6 June 2003 on a 6 axle heavy duty flat car. How will the loco be unloaded from the flat car? The unit will be pushed back to the end of a spur. A trench will be excavated and a panel of rails and ties will be laid at the bottom of the trench. The flat car will then be pushed down into the trench. At the back of the trench, the surface of the ground will be graded to match the level of the rails on the flat car. Another panel of rails will be laid and connected to those on the flat car. The plan is to start the 244 up and drive it off of the flat car Then, the flat car will be pulled out of the trench .. the rails removed ... the trench refilled with the dirt that created it, and then connect rails and ties to those where the loco is sitting to the end of the spur. ~whew~ I'm going to try and be there with a camera while this is going on .. so stay tuned. [ 12. June 2003, 23:46: Message edited by: Ironhorseman ]
Bill- This looks like one of the six axle ex-US Army MRS-1 units. If you can catch the unloading process, this I would love to see! Please post photos! Boxcab E50 [ 08. June 2003, 18:54: Message edited by: BoxcabE50 ]
I've seen this unit at Portola for the last few years. I was wondering if anyone had any more specific history for it. Thanks.
I will do my very best to be there with a camera. I have an inside track to know when it's going to be unloaded because I work for the YWRR. I'll post them as soon as we begin the work to unload it. John, I will try and find out the history of 244. I would post it here as well as include it in the YWRR's web site as soon as I can find out about it.
Well heres what I got so far: MRS-1 blt in 1953 by ALCo #80352 ex Feather River & Western #244, nee US Navy #65-00541, nee US Army #2119 Got this from the FRRS site at : http://www.oz.net/~samh/frrs Thanks.
WHats the reporting mark on the flat car? I can't quite read it in the picture. Can't wait to see the pics of it running! I think this means I will have to wander back down there. I say back because I used to live un Yreka a million years ago and the YW was probably my first exposure to trains.
Bill, That is indeed a great addition to the railroad. I am sure it will get a great amount of care and running time on your rails. I look forward to seeing it in person on my next trip to Calif. Shannon WP LIVES
There are some significant differences between the ALCO and EMD MRS1s. I don't remember what they are right at the moment, but I'll try to remember to dig out my book that has that info. THere is an MRS1 in SHelton WA (ALCO flavored), owned by Pete Replinger and it took me forever to figure out what that was! I think I'm going to have to drop by the YW one of these days just to see (and hear) it run. Are you planning to repaint it?
cthippo ... I doubt if there's any plan to repaint it ... it was just painted in Portola prior to being sent to Yreka. )
Here you see the YW engine sitting on the flat car. A ways away from being ready to be inspected by the UP carmen. Here you see the YW and idler flat being delivered to the UP yard in Portola. Greg Elms [ 16. June 2003, 06:23: Message edited by: Greg Elems ]
Yes, we have a ramp. It comes in handy, especially now that we have to ship friction bearing equipment by flat car. Greg Elems
Hmmmmm ... we were told the 244 was loaded by cranes No big deal though. Thanks for the pre-delivery pictorial Greg! Now here's the delivery pictorial from the Yreka Western's end: First a trench was dug and ties, rails and ballast were laid into it from an existing spur: Then YWRR #21 SW-8 brought the flat car to the front end of the trench: After an inspection of everything, #21 slowly rolled the flat into the trench: To be continued ... [ 16. June 2003, 23:28: Message edited by: Ironhorseman ]
