Blacklands Alcos

G McKee · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 2004 9:52 am

Rumor is the Blackland's two RS-3s have been sold to a museum. Anyone want to fess up? (Or knows more?)

Does anyone know the history of these two units?

GM

gmckee@uky.edu

George Jenista · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 2004 9:58 am

> Rumor is the Blackland's two RS-3s have been
> sold to a museum. Anyone want to fess up?
> (Or knows more?)

Per Blacklands General Manager, yes, they've been sold. He did not specify whom.

> Does anyone know the history of these two
> units?

Ex-Magma Arizona.

hi_plain@yahoo.com

G McKee · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 2004 10:20 am

Wow, that was fast. Lets hope its a good home (and not the scrapper.)

Thanks George.

GM

gmckee@uky.edu

Drake Rice · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 2004 2:48 pm

These units were on the Mangum Copper Company railroad that operated out of San Manuel, Arizona. They were purchased by a member of the Oklahoma Railway Museum (ORM). The museum has authorized the hire of two flat bed semi's for the spare parts which will be stored at the museum. The engines will be made operational over the next few years. They will be moved later this year to the museum. One has some electrical issues and the other a water leak according to information from the mechanical department. They are not going to a scraper. Drake Rice, Secretary, ORM.

> Rumor is the Blackland's two RS-3s have been
> sold to a museum. Anyone want to fess up?
> (Or knows more?)

> Does anyone know the history of these two
> units?

> GM

drakerr@telepath.com

Tom Cornillie · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 2004 5:21 pm

This is great news! As I recall, one of these units is a former Reading unit (now one of 4 preserved), while the other is now the only former Lehigh and Hudson River RS-3 remaining.

It might be worth to try to arrange for a trade for a EMD 567 or 645 unit from your region - which would be easier and cheaper to maintain and operate.

If you are interested, you may want to talk with the Delaware & Lackawanna railroad in Scranton, as their CMO, Don Colangelo, is very familer with RS-3's and is always looking for acquistions. RS-3's are quirky, and need lots of TLC to keep in good running condition.

In any case, it is very good to hear that they are not going to a scrapper!

altoonaroundhouse@umich.edu

G. McKee · **Posted:** Thu Jun 10, 2004 7:15 pm

> This is great news! As I recall, one of
> these units is a former Reading unit (now
> one of 4 preserved), while the other is now
> the only former Lehigh and Hudson River RS-3
> remaining.

Agreed, great news. I also agree re the 2 being ex-Rdg, however I have serious doubts that 3 is ex-L&HR. Two L&HR RS-3s do exist in BKRR 605 and Magam 13 (now at the Nevada Northern museum). I can't seen to track down 3's history, but the lack of mu and the number boards seem to rule out L&HR. Not many RS-3s were built without the mu walkways.

I too wouldn't mind seeing a swap with the DL for one or both units:-) Hopefully at least one will be running soon as the 3 was suppose to be in runnable shape. Again, congratulations to all those who stepped in to save these two and the best of luck with them. (I'll be comming down that way to see them once you all get them running:-)

GM

gmckee@insightbb.com

James Hefner · **Posted:** Sat Jun 12, 2004 9:58 am

> Rumor is the Blackland's two RS-3s have been
> sold to a museum. Anyone want to fess up?
> (Or knows more?)

> Does anyone know the history of these two
> units?

> GM

Do they still have this steam locomotive, or has it been sold too? Do they still have their training program?

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

Surviving World Steam Project
james@survivingworldsteam.com