Re: Correction to Yreka Western flashback post on "The Other"
Author: SP5103
Date: 11-08-2019 - 10:41
Wasn't Brian Whipple involved in the Northern Nevada RR? Their original idea was to run one person train crews. Due to the light rail, two loads of concentrate were going to be split among three cars, and at Shafter the third car would be transferred to the other two to top their loads off. For light rail power, the pair of xSMV GE 70 tons would pull one train and the MRS-1 would pull the other.
I did a little contract work for them, and suggested they instead look for xSP SD9Es - the ones out of the first order were actually fairly light at around 165 tons, just like the Nevada Northern SD7 #401 that used to work the line. NN also kept one or two of their Alcos blue carded as backups to the 401. They apparently bought some SD9s instead of the MRS-1, and the 70 tons worked the concentrate loader.
Not sure if the MRS1 was owned by FRRS and brokered by Morgan, or Morgan directly? BTW - as far as I know NN 401 still exists at a power plant in Utah. And there is an Alco MRS-1 long stranded at Royal City, WA. To my knowledge it belonged to the TOppenish museum when they operated that and the White Swan lines years ago.