A continuation from the last page ... The surface of the ground beyond the end of the trench was graded, then rail, ties and ballast were then laid. The receiving end of the rails was connected to the rails on the flat car. The 244 was started up, brakes checked, and all retraints were removed. 244 was then 'driven' off of the flat car onto the rails on the ground: Now the panel of rails in the trench will be lifted out, dirt will be pushed in with a Cat and the rails re-connected to the rails where 244 sits: The 244 should be in the YWRR's engine house tonight
Bill, we have one crane that might be able to lift one end of it. We have one operator that might be qualified someday to lift it. Anyway, we have a ramp. Enjoyed your shots of the unloading of it. So what is the plan for it. Run it on a passenger train or freight? Greg Elems
Wow!!! Great photos!!! A truly unique operation! Wish that I could have been there in person! Boxcab E50
Wow, what a neat operation! Reminds me of my days at Lockheed Flight Test. Just DO IT! No #$%^*** gummint studies, just get it done. Wish I was there, after all, an Alco RS is an honorary steam locomotive. Bill, are you sure she was operating? I don't see plumes of black smoke.
Thanks guys .. it was fun documenting it Greg, 244 will be used for freight. #21 will be used to pull our excursion train until we get our steam up and running .. probably not until next year Fitz, it puked alot of black smoke when they first fired it up. But the engine was running only to provide air to the brakes (it was a down-hill run from the flatcar to the surface rails.
A question just came into mind. I'm trying to recall how the control stands were set up in the MRS1. Did these run long hood forward? Or have dual control stands? Boxcab E50
Yes .. long hood is forward; and on this particular loco, there is only one control stand. I'll see if I can get a photo of the interior for ya.
Boxcab, I am sorry it took so long to get this photo of the cab of our Alco MRS-1, but here it is: The young fella shown in the pic is my new brakeman named Dan.
Thanks for the photo! Is this unit now in regular service? A question I've had for a long time- Does this loco have the adjustable gauge trucks? Or have those been changed out? If it does, can you describe just how the process of re-gauging might have been done? Boxcab E50
Yes, the unit is currently being used to haul freight from Timber Products to the Yreka Western / Central Oregon & Pacific interchange in Montague, CA. As I understand it .. wheelsets of different guages can be installed with the traction motors. The truck frames are adjustable to fit the gauge of wheelset. *I think that's how it goes (?)*
If you come upon any information about regauging, I'd like to know more. Would an operators manual show the process? Sketches? Photos? This has my curiousity peaked! Boxcab E50
Boxcab .. I finally found out how the gauge of the wheels is changed: The wheelsets are replaced with the desired gauge and the truck frames are adjustable. As soon as we get a photo service operational again, I'll take a few pics and you can see what I am talking about. Greg .. no, that is not a Yreka Western car. The YKR belongs to the York Railway Co. ... or Yorkrail, Inc. prior to April 2000.
Seems like an awkward process. Almost simpler to change the trucks out. I never have had a chance to view an MRS1 up close enough to study the trucks. So I'll be interested in any photos you post! Boxcab E50
