ARMY ALCO RSD-1's TO BE DISPOSED OF????

Superheater · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2004 2:10 pm

Saw this on another forum. Can anybody discuss with some knowledge?

Also- could anybody talk about the technical feasibility of retrucking (any) RSD as a B-B "faux RS" for roads concerned with 6 axle power compatibility with sharp curves, etc.

Leave it to the feds to buy 100 engines and leave them in storage. Makes "government cheese" look like a smart idea

>"Rumour has it that the US Army Corps of >Engineers is considering selling their mothball >fleet of 75-100 RSD-1s stored at the Tooele Base >in Utah.

>These units were all built in the late 40s and >early 50s and most have never been run.

>If true, this could be a bonanza for those with >some extra bucks to play with.

>Anyone else heard anything about this?"

superheater@rrmail.com

John Craft · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2004 2:34 pm

> Saw this on another forum. Can anybody
> discuss with some knowledge?

Umm . . . yeah. And there's a strategic reserves of Black Fives at Craven Arms . . . wait, no, inside Box Tunnel!

Looks like a prank, Just about every detail of the story is wrong. See the link below. Also, TRAINS did a thorough history of the engines some time in the past. Maybe someone can pinpoint the issue here.

After WWII they were dispersed all over the place, not concentrated anywhere.

If it were true, since several of the RSD1s started life with B-B trucks, it should be possible. But I don't think it's necessary. TVRM's units handled a VERY sharp curve at the East Chattanooga end with no problems.

JAC

RSD-1s

JJ · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2004 3:06 pm

> Saw this on another forum. Can anybody
> discuss with some knowledge?

> Also- could anybody talk about the technical
> feasibility of retrucking (any) RSD as a B-B
> "faux RS" for roads concerned with
> 6 axle power compatibility with sharp
> curves, etc.

> Leave it to the feds to buy 100 engines and
> leave them in storage. Makes
> "government cheese" look like a
> smart idea

Here's a link to a website about RSD-1's.

http://www.berail.be/usa/rs1

Dave K · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2004 5:26 pm

Yet another urban legend. The Army got rid of that stuff and the RSX-4s' (MRS-1 to the buffs) some time ago. However, one can only wonder what happened to the spares and spec. tooling ?

newhaven0401-NOSPAM-@verizon.net

Stephen Syfrett · **Posted:** Tue Jan 27, 2004 12:05 am

> Yet another urban legend. The Army got rid
> of that stuff and the RSX-4s' (MRS-1 to the
> buffs) some time ago. However, one can only
> wonder what happened to the spares and spec.
> tooling ?

So what are the main differences between the RSD-1s and the RSX-4/MRS-1s? I've never quite caught on to the military diesel locomotive designations.

ssyfrett@bellsouth.net

Dave K · **Posted:** Tue Jan 27, 2004 12:51 pm

RSX-4 can be considered a re-packaging of an RS-3
designed for reduced clearances and lower axle loadings. They were equipped with 12-244's,GT-581 generators and Amplidyne controls-same as RS-3's.
However, trucks were designed to be regauged in the field with six "narrow gauge" traction motors
(GE ? . Chassis and carbody were lighter/smaller than RS-3.

> So what are the main differences between the
> RSD-1s and the RSX-4/MRS-1s? I've never
> quite caught on to the military diesel
> locomotive designations.

newhaven0401-NOSPAM-@verizon.net