Hey guys, does anyone know of a resource to pin down the power that normally worked the Northern Montana Division? I recall types, but not specific unit numbers. I would like my first power project to be a specific unit which was "assigned" to Great Falls, specifically. I've done the usual google searches and turned up zilch. Thanks for any insight or direction. PS: This forum ROCKS!
Bob My source is from "The Milwaukee Railroader" published by the MILW Historical Association. (They printed 3 issues with the Northern Montana Division as the main subject) I would recommend picking these up, I have no association with them but the pictures, maps and information are awesome. http://www.mrha.com/tmr.cfm First Quarter 2000 Fourth Quarter 1999 Second Quarter 2006 With that said.... (Ken, Hemi, everybody else, correct or add to my information if it is wrong please) These engines are pictured on the NMD in these mags. I included engines pictured from to 50's to 1980. Those old engines could easily still be in use in the 70's, but I'm not 100%. SDL39 #581, SD9, FP7 departing GF in November 1979 FP7 #97C and an SD10 winter of 1978-79 SD7 1960 SD7 #2203 1956 Jordan Spreader X286 (you may like MOW) The first road diesel specifically assigned to the NMD was an SD7 # 2215 (later renumbered 515) and was brought from Lewistown dead in tow behind a steamer. Its first run was on Nov 4, 1953. It performed so well that within a year 4 more SD7's were added to the roster (2200-2203, later renumbered 500-503) and later more numbered 2208-2211 (later renumbered 508-511) as well as 2212,2213 and 2222 (later re# 512, 513 and 522) The Milwaukee liked these locos because of the they were light engines (6 axles) on light rail. The SD's did not have dynamic brakes with the exception of of 2215, and later 516 appeared in the mid 60's-70's with dynamics. The article notes that the steam to diesel transition was 1 year. Others that occasionally appeared on the NMD GP9's Single FT-units 38D and 39D Multiple FT's 42A/B/C/D and 45A/B/C/D Multiple F7 units 48A-48C Its states that Geeps were rare as far as GF, the normally only went as far as Lewistown (4 axle units) Red Hanley (engineer) claimed the Geeps could not pull the steep grades like the SD7's. More to come.....
Now starting in 1957, the rail into GF was upgraded, the Geeps appeared for regular service on the entire NMD. GP9's 201.202 and 205 in the 60's and 70"s SD7s, NW1's and SW1200's performed the bulk of the work On trains 163/164 in the fall off the year when the grain traffis was heavy, it was normal to see 5 Geeps along with 1 or 2 SD7's. Torpedo tube passenger GP9's appeared frequently in the late 60's and early 70s', but by the early 70's the Geeps began to thin out and on July 1974, SD9's and SD10's came to the NMD. Some of the GP9's were replaced by by SD45's, SD40-2, SDL39's, U-boats GP30's and GP38-2's. These locos would operate to the end. The author of the article and credit goes to Dan Lewis. Edit: The last MILW train out of Lewistown south to Harlow was headed GP30 #1013, with 6 others units trailing. March 19, 1980.
Wow Dean! Thanks for the GREAT write-up! I just finished up ordering the 3 publications you mention. Also joined the MRHA so I can get the magazine on a regular basis as well.
Your going to love the pictures. mostly full color, my 2 favorites is 1st quarter, 2000 page 13, shows the "Golden Grain Train" on Red Coulee trestle (airplane pic) and 2nd quarter 2006 page 4, same train different angle. :thumbs_up:
Another source or two are the engine assignments (maintenance bases) from the Superintendent of Motive Power. There was one engineer on the NMD, who kept all his time books. But he's long since passed on. I am not certain who in his family might still have those gems. I used to keep in touch with a son, but that person has also passed away. Boxcab E50
I don't believe anyone has ever put together an all time index of TMR articles and photos.... No. I won't volunteer. Back issues not available elsewhere: Railpub.com. Not affiliated, but have found things through Paul which I could not locate elsewhere. Boxcab E50
Thanks Dean and E50! I remember watching the last train out. I wasn't very old. Just a kid really (13). Even then, I recall a wave of sadness. Someplace I've seen video of the last train out of Great Falls. Wish I could remember everything... D'OH! On another research note, does anyone remember the "copper plate cars" (for lack of a better name) the MILW pulled out of the Anaconda Smelter back in the 70s? Just about every night, I would be awaken by a train going by with those copper plates clanking back and forth.
I have setup a web site to track my modeling, and perhaps more importantly, to serve as a central clearing house for links I find while I'm researching the NMD. There isn't any content there yet, but if you want to keep an eye on it, or would like to contribute, it's at: Milwaukee Road | - Northern Montana Division in HO scale. I've also changed my email to bob.avritt@milw-nmd.com for anything train related.
I have added some photos of my original kitbashed SD10 in my photo albums. Poor thing has been bouncing around for over 10 years and has several parts missing.
She looks like she worked a hard summer on the NMD. A whole lot of grains cars have pulled on that coupler.
