Eastern Railroad Discussion > Historic WW2 Alco RSD1 on a July 4th run

Happy 4th of July ! My wife and yours truly paid a visit to Orrville, Ohio on a toasty Independence Day morning to photograph and ride behind a rare bird these days, an operating Alco RSD1. It was built in February, 1943 for the US Army Transportation Corp as their #8050 and was used in Iran during WW2. It was sent there (along with others) and was primarily used on the Trans-Iranian Railway running supplies to the Russian army. It has the tight clearance cab so it could fit through smaller tunnels. It would return to the states in 1945 and be reassigned to the Air Force where it worked places like Columbus, Ohio and Limestone, Maine. A private owner would acquire it in the early 80s, renumbering it to 805, and bring it to Orrville. I've included a photo of it in storage at Orrville in July, 1984. The Orrville Railroad Heritage Society got it in 2015 and has recently brought it back to life. They ran trips with the 805 sporting some red, white and blue additions for the 4th. They run over part of the former Cleveland, Akron and Columbus RR (PRR). Another interesting piece of equipment was a former B&O 250 ton crane, shown in a couple of these photos. Many thanks to the folks at the ORHS for a nice day. Some info from the ORHS web site.

Roger Durfee
Cuyahoga Falls, OH

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Nice. I wasn't aware there was an operating example. Do you know of any others beyond this one?

Posted from Android

Here's the 805 back in July, 1984 in Orrville, Ohio.
Looking north on the former Cleveland, Akron and Columbus main. It was a strong storm and resulting flooding on July 4th, 1969 that severed the Orrville to Columbus section.
Nice touch on a switch stand.

Roger Durfee
Cuyahoga Falls, OH

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ShortlinesUSA Wrote:
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> Nice. I wasn't aware there was an operating
> example. Do you know of any others beyond this
> one?
>
I believe there is one in California, but beyond that a running RSD1 is pretty rare these days.

Roger Durfee
Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Great news. I'm glad you got to ride behind it.
Bob

Neat!

Posted from iPhone

Several of the locomotives sent to Iran were diverted from an order placed by the NYS&W.

I wonder if any RSD1 units remain in Iran?

Posted from Android

The Southern California Railway Museum in Perris has two RSD1 models that run well. One of the two was aquired for parts but it now runs well. This is the old Orange Empire museum that is now seventy years old.

Back in the early 80s the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum got three or four from Elgin Air Force base in Florida. They have since gotten some newer EMD locomotives so I don't know if they still use them or have them. Many years ago I had the opportunity to run one. It was the only locomotive I have ever operated that didn't have an ammeter to show the amount of current being drawn. 

Note the Hancock air whistle.

coach Wrote:
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> Note the Hancock air whistle.

It sounded sweet !

Roger Durfee
Cuyahoga Falls, OH