[www.trainweb.org] This is NOT the same locomotive as POVA #103.

Lehigh Portland Cement bought at least THREE new GE 70 tons, all possibly numbered 1.

s/n 32679 is Lehigh Portland Cement/LaFarge #1 at Metaline Falls, WA to POVA #103 built in December 1956 (Confirmed by builder's plate and number stamped on frame).

s/n 32420 built November 1955 assigned to Alsen, NY (per GE records)

s/n 32507 built March 1956 assigned to Carrol County (Security?), MD (per GE records)

s/n 32679 did not have the yellow/black safety stripes on the frame, any cab sunshade or the horn mounted as in the picture. Metaline Falls was a Milwaukee branch before going to the Port of Pend Oreille. Those look like Alcos in the background, and while Kyle did run Alcos up there they weren't painted like that and those look like RSD trucks. The background locos don't look like anything in the northwest. The background loco is PRR RSD-7 #6808 [www.rrpicturearchives.net] , so this is either s/n 32420 or 32507 (at plant or in transit?). I don't know if Pennsy served both locations, so somebody more familiar might be able to nail this down as to which engine it should be.


Collins Pine #166 on the Almanor Railroad had a major engine failure and was replaced by 32679 which only worked about a year before railroad suspended operations, stored until sold. (#166 moved to display at Collins Pine Museum in 2011.) POVA #103 is listed as Almanor #165, but was never repainted and still poorly lettered as POVA #103 when sold by Collins. Leased by Oregon Shortline to MOR, LLC (Frontier Rail) in April of 2012, repainted last fall and works about 5 days per week on irregular schedule. Crew usually goes on duty as needed anytime between 7am and 3pm, takes an hour or two to switch edible oils in and pull reefers out of Con Agra's larger plant that is supposed to be processing french fries for McDonalds. UP local out of Hinkle shows up after 4pm Mon-Fri to switch everyone else at Port of Morrow's industrial park at Boardman. On occasion, typically weekends, MOR might also switch the other Con-Agra plant/Morrow Cold Storage across from the power plant.

Mr. Thomas - any chance of you reposting your photo of #103 at Usk or can I get a copy?