I was not aware of this MRS locomotive. A very interesting catch.
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| Posted by BN4ever on February 8, 2016 | |
Another example of a specialized item for the DoD.
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| Posted by FSWood on February 8, 2016 | |
According to book Second Diesel Spotters Guide originally of 1973 and reprinted several times after that, Alco as well as EMD built locos to the MRS-1 design. They were built to fit clearance diagrams different from the US clearances. And they had trucks of adjustable wheel gauge. Book says Alco built 83 and EMD built 13. Book also comments on page 278 in caption for Alco photo, "Strategic concepts no longer involve occupying enemy land masses and using their railways."
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| Posted by on February 8, 2016 | |
Weird looking trucks. Not typical 1st gen SD trucks
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| Posted by FSWood on February 9, 2016 | |
Eh, trucks aren't all that odd at all, are quite in line with Alco's RSD and PA trucks, but of a lighter weight design, and like the RSD trucks, but unlike the PA trucks, configured for 3 motors. and Alco's own model number for the government beast, which they built many more of than EMD did, was RSX-4, a variant of RSD-4. Trucks also resemble those on Alco's DL-535s for NdeM; and, DL-535E for WP&Y.
Remember, these things were built to be hauled to places with rather different clearances and different axle loading limits than places like, oh, say, Horseshoe Curve, would have.
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ALCO sold a RSC truck also. It was A1A instead of C. A1A trucks were noted for even axle spacing as shown on this MRS.
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