Googling for RS units, and came across this. WHich is labled as a SHROUDED RS1. Any info on these, where why who how what etc. Were they common, and what lines would have used em?? Thanks Edit: Here is another - both Alaska RR...
Believe they only existed on the Alaska RR. Supposedly due to the climate. Done in their own shops. Boxcab E50
After World War II, the Alaska Railroad, being owned by the Federal Government, became the "dumping ground" for surplus military railroad equipment. During World War II, all RS1's went to the US Army. In order to use these RS1's in the Alaskan climate, they were "shrouded". The Army originally intended to use Diesels like the RS1 in desert areas where water for steam locomotives was hard to get, so they were designed to withstand desert heat, not Arctic cold.
According to the 1972 edition of Diesel Spotters Guide, there were eighteen of them, in A&B units. The first two were converted by International Railway Car & Equip. Mfg. in Kenton, Ohio; 3 As and 4 Bs were converted by Puget Sound Bridge and Dredge Co., Seattle. These have a different look to them. The rest were presumably converted by the railroad--so there might be a third look. Interesting look!
There appears to be a second unit in a different paint job in the photo, coupled behind the unit in the foreground. Compare the radiator grilles at the rear of the the unit in the foreground with the unit coupled behind it. There may be a "porthole" showing, too.
It appears the Ohio-built have no portholes in the A unit and one in the B unit, while the Seattle A units have four portholes. I have no picture of the Seattle B unit. I've seen, somewhere, a picture of what I think was the home-built unit. I remember it being quite the ugly duckling.
Ok.. its on LOL.. PM me an address to send a loco or 2 to if your serious Mr. http://www.trainboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/ubb/get_topic/f/9/t/006004.html? http://www.alaskarails.org/glance/complete-roster.html They are known as RF1A and RF1B Credit where it is due. This one is in HO by Pat Durand http://alaskamodelrrnews.homestead.com/Alco.html
Those is a superb model by Mr. Durand. These would be a real neat opportunity for a manufacturer of resin shells (hint, hint).
In the winter storms the acculmulation of ice and snow would prevent crews from opening the access doors to the engine compartment, etc. The full width body allowed crew access to punch a reset or perform another chore to keep a unit running. One of the reasons the GN went to the F-45 loco was for crew access in the winter.
An interesting looking unit, no doubt. Far more shrouded than I would have imagined, Bruce. That's no kitbash - it's a scratchbuilt item. I think I'll pass, thanks. Too many of my own things to do.
No worries Mr.. It looked like the challenge from hell. just got home after posting this reply, and lookin at the RS1 infront of me at the moment! but if ya can find that GP shell that would be sweet.
I'd have to give an award out, for the effort made in scratchbuilding something so unique. Boxcab E50
"unique" _and_ ugly. Man, I love it. Whoppit - I loved them also. Unique, wierd and ugly. Then again, I like boxcabs so.
strange, when you think of the classic lines of the E and F units, the PA series, C-liners etc but theres something about bulky looking locos that i like. Trainmasters, BL2's, GP30S may not look the prettiest but man they just look like brutes even sat stationary!
