This Alco S-3 is located in South Boston, surrounded by trailers, dumpsters and chain link fencing. The engine belongs to the Boston Railway Terminal...they hauled building materials for the construction of various large scale projects in South Boston, including the new convention center, etc. Once construction in the area ceased, the locomotive was parked -here in this spot, and hasn't moved since -it's now been at least 5 years. .
Anyone know what the future may hold for No 0409? Trucks appear to have roller bearings...

Stephen

Do not be fooled by the New Haven-style number; the loco is apparently not a former NYNH&H loco.

An Alco S-1 and S-3 roster:

http://en.allexperts.com/e/a/al/alco_s-1_and_s-3.htm

(The usual disclaimers about data on the Internet apply.)

With that front number box, I'd guess ex-CPR. The NH Alco switchers had a lower, more shallow-curved cab roof. There are none known to exist.

Howard P.

Can you tell me the exact location of the locomotive? I'd love to go down and, take a look.

Michael Thomas

I'm glad to see that someone has been thoughtful enough to protect the stack from admitting rain and snow to the engine. The protection mechanism chosen is very creative :-)

Locomotive location from Google earth coordinates, map dated 12-2008
42°20'34.74"N
71° 3'2.17"W
Pictures posted match the general area
S. Boston Bypass Rd. & Cypher St.
South Boston, MA

That would look nice at the SFTM :)

Everything with flanged wheels would look good at SFTM. Give it a rest.

Is it up for sale?

As one bar owner in Baltimore's Fells Point told me when I asked about rumors that his place was for sale: "Well, everything's for sale around here, Sandy....." <:-)

Having just gone around for a few minutes with a fellow RyPN'er about the issues of locomotive ownership and provenance thereof, your biggest problem is going to be finding out just who has what legal right to sell it to you, provided you even can muster the resources to pay for and move it. As we are slowly and surely finding out with cases such as this, certain steam locomotives languishing at certain shops, etc., there is apparently NO formal, legally recognized/sanctioned process for asserting ownership, slapping liens for unpaid storage/transport/repair, etc. A lot of what goes on in this "business" ends up being all but one step short of the Wild, Wild West or the "underground" economy in character, even when it involves Class Ones.

Think about this: How does an owner "repossess" a passenger car or locomotive? I've done it, on hire for an owner. My fee alone was a couple grand, then add in the freight fees.........

Now that would be an interesting job, locomotive repo man. Can't really be stealth about it though as you would have to have the corporation of the RR the unit is on, and when it is the RR who is in position of said item I don't think they would be to willing to give you a forum D and a pilot.

I would guess that many museum members get questions from the public about "who owns these ________?" (streetcars, locomotives, passenger cars). It's not like highway-licensed motor vehicles where there's a VIN that can be traced, and hopefully a "pink slip" (California slang for title certificate) or some kind of DMV documentation. There have been rather unpleasant stories told in the preservation community about some rail relic that was stored at a museum by a private party (member or non-member) on a "handshake deal". Years later, one or both of the parties to the agreement have gone to the "Great Railfan Meeting in the Sky" and next-of-kin want to sell the item. The museum management/trustees/board of directors, says, "Hold on! You owe us $$$$ for storing this car/locomotive for the last 25 or 30 years. We'll forgive the debt if you sign a paper/quitclaim document/bill of sale releasing any perceived ownership to the Noname Railroad Museum." Then the row starts......