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TRRA Alco RS-2/RS-3 locomotives

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  • Member since
    February 2012
  • 596 posts
TRRA Alco RS-2/RS-3 locomotives
Posted by charlie9 on Saturday, October 5, 2013 12:31 PM

The Terminal Railroad Assn. of St Louis had several Alco road switchers.  I have seen pictures of them long ago but can not find anything on them at this time.   I believe they had the air cooled turbos and friction bearing trucks.  I don't think they lasted long enough to make it into the red paint scheme.

Can anyone help with photos or information?  I have a couple of Kato RS's that i would like to paint and detail for the TRRA.

Thanks, Charlie

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 7,500 posts
Posted by 7j43k on Saturday, October 5, 2013 3:06 PM

I can't find photos in the usual online sources.  But I did find this roster information:

http://trra-hts.railfan.net/roster.html

And this article about modeling them:

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/13699

For a photo, you should be able to get a builder's photo(s) of TRRA 1600 from:

http://alcohistoricphotos.com/

Ed

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • 596 posts
Posted by charlie9 on Saturday, October 5, 2013 10:45 PM

thanks, ed

your information was helpful but i still have a way to go.   i am still unsure about the style of turbocharger.  the models in the photos show the later, or water cooled turbo (cross ways exhaust stack)  but with a production date of 12/50 i would think they originally had the air cooled turbo with the stack running long ways on one side of the hood.  a prototype photo would prove or disprove my idea about this.

a former TRRA employee told me those engines had the run 8 throttle position blocked off and they were de-rated to lower horsepower to avoid problems with the turbocharger.

i wouldn't think they had roller bearings.  in all my years on the railroad around E St L, i never saw a terminal engine run over about 5 mph unless the crew was going for an early quit. or taking a run for the hill on a bridge approach.

charlie

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 7,500 posts
Posted by 7j43k on Saturday, October 5, 2013 11:43 PM

Charlie,

The builder's photo should show the as-delivered layout.  If they never changed them, then you're home free.  I guess.  I hope that someone can turn up later photos, but I can't.  

Ed

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,228 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Monday, October 7, 2013 2:26 AM

Gidday Charlie, about as useful as a poke in the eye by a burnt stick, but..............

http://www.westernrailimages.com/Terminal-Railroad-Association/Terminal-Railroad-Association/7192223_k5KgQ5#!i=461828924&k=d6Nwwpd

Cheers, the Bear.

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • 596 posts
Posted by charlie9 on Monday, October 7, 2013 10:49 AM

thanks, bear.

what have we learned from this pic?   friction bearing trucks as i suspected.  gray hood and cab over black with black hand rails and grab irons.  correct placement of  symbols and lettering including dashed white stripe along side sill.  exhaust stack appears to be long ways on the hood instead of across it so it must be the early air cooled turbo. (production date should confirm that)

charlie

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • 596 posts
Posted by charlie9 on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 4:41 PM

once again, thanks to everyone who replied. i have located an issue of the TRRA Hist. Soc. publication than has the photos i need.

charlie

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