Durbin & Greenbriar unit is a GE 45-tonner, a different animal than a 44-ton GE. (I know it's the same thing to you steam fans-- the 45- and 44-tonners, but it would be like calling R&N 425 a "K4" because it's a 4-6-2, right?)

The VRR units are GE 80-tonners; the one pictured dates about 1943-45, "second" body style. The other one is about 1938 and is the "first" body style used for the 80-tonners. It was built for Pfizer Corp. and may be GE's first 80-tonner. Mr. Hamley, what say you?

Not all "center cab diesels" are 44-tonners.

Howard P.
MP 6, NAUG
home of GE 45-ton #42

The Arcade & Attica 44 tonners that were mentioned in a previous post (numbers 110 and 111) are rather noteworthy, in that they were both purchased new, for the A&A, in 1941 and 1947 respectively. Locos that are 60+ years old, and under continuous ownership by their original owner must be quite rare. (Furthermore, it's an owner whose corporate name hasn't changed over those decades).

John Redden

Steve,

Many of us wish the museum had acquired this locomotive at the auction. It was apparently in good shape and went cheap, something like $7500. I have tried to figure out where it went, but haven't had any luck.

Andrew

The Western Pacific Railroad Museum at Portola, California is currently raising funds to move recently donated ex-Tidewater Southern 44-tonner 735 back from Kansas City, MO. This is one of only three remaining Tidewater Southern locomotives, and the only one that has been preserved (provided WPRM can move it soon!):

http://www.tidewatersouthern.com/TS735Donation/ts735donation.htm



Chris Allan

The Pacific Locomotive Association has ex-ATSF 44-tonner #462, built July 1943, s/n 17927. It was the first operating diesel on the Niles Canyon Railway. We also have ex-US Army GE 65 tonner #7348 and US Navy 80 tonner #65-00600 (renumbered Niles Canyon 298).
Unfortunately the 462 needs some work to be back to being operational. We got some new wheels for it and one of the engines is tired. But when she's running she's lots of fun to operate.

Some GE 44-tonners came with M.U., and others did not. How difficult would it be to retrofit?

The Mountain State Railroad and Logging Historical Society acquired a GE 44 tonner for use by the Cass Railroad shops back in early September 2008. This will save months of boiler time on the steamers during the off-season months, November - May. The 44 tonner came from Ohio, but I don't from whom in Ohio.