Our railroad recently received a 1953 ALCO MRS-1 from a railroad museum. It has some bugs that we can't remedy. Is there by chance anyone in here that knows anything about this locomotive that might be able to share some light on the problem(s)?
Bill, You could try contacting the fellows down at the SDRM in Campo. Their operation uses a couple of this type.
For some reason, I keep thinking that the Mount Rainier Scenic has one of these units? If so, perhaps their expertise extends beyond steam? Boxcab E50
Bill, Ken is right, the MRSR has a couple of Alcos that ran on that steam weekend last month. I don't know much about diesels but they were in the S-1 to S-4 series, not RS-1's. Separate subject, over on Chaski ( and maybe Railway Preservation News) there is a guy advertising RS-1 trucks for sale. Don't know if YW is interested, but thought I'd tell you.
Thanks for the info guys. I sent an e-mail to the Mt. Rainier Scenic RR to inquire if they have one, and who does the service if they do. We'll see what happens.
You might contact the FRA to see if they have any MP&E inspectors who have any experience with that type Alco. I know we had some good inspectors when I retired in 89 but most likely those have retired also. I have no idea who is working today but "supposedly" FRA is willing to help the railroads today. Maybe!
I'm keeping an eye open for any other MRS1 ALCo units out there. I know there are some! Let us know if you have any luck. Boxcab E50
He does indeed own a MRS1, along with several steamers. and I believe an S4. They're more on the order of a private collection than anything else. Mr. Replinger was an engineer on Simpson Timber co. for a number of years and I'm sure has at least some insight on getting the big beasts to work.
That's what I thought. And I keep thinking that his MRS1 is stored down at Mount Rainier Scenic....? Boxcab E50
CT .. the owner of the YWRR called Mr. Replinger yesterday morning. Mr. Replinger is going to send us a copy of maintenance manual etc. Hopefully, that will help Boxcab .. I sent an e-mail to MRSRR about 4 days ago and have yet to receive an answer Thanks for the information anyway.
It was in Shelton a week ago. Saw it there on Thursday, 7-24. Glad I could help. Maybe I'll make it down to see the beast this year.
I'll have to go back through my pictured, but I remember a 2-6-6-2T from Weyerhauser and a little 2-8-2T. I believe he has at least one other, but I will have tio look to remember what it is. Every coupld of years they get shuffled around the yard where they are stored, so I'm not sure they're all still there. As of last week ther MRS1 and the 2-6-6-2T were at Bayside, but i didn't see the others.
We had a couple of electronic specialists and diesel locomotive mechanics out to look at the 422 last week. They tested every circuit they could find and came to the conclusion that an electro-mechanical coil inside the governor is not functioning properly, which allows air to bypass a seal causing foam in the hydraulic oil inside the unit. This is a definate no-no. We will be sending the governor out for a rebuild. Hopefully, that will solve the major problems.
