Comments
This is fantastic! I bet one of the first tasks is removing the MALX patch off the side and restoring it fully back to a CNW locomotive :D
#1 Trevor Young on 2014-06-12 00:03
In small pic it's looking big monster how much big it is in original !!!!
#2 Jesse on 2014-06-12 01:18
Hi, Jesse Well...You will just have to come out and view it for yourself. It is a big Monster!!
#2.1 Roger Kramer on 2014-06-13 07:32
Where does one find a C&NW Alco these days?
#3 Steve on 2014-06-12 08:33
Hi Steve, Most people find CNW alco's in books and pictures because almost all were traded in for new models[EMD] and were scraped. Just like most of the steam engines. Very rare this one survived, we should thank the person who save it. Roger
#3.1 Roger Kramer on 2014-06-13 07:29
This is a great addition to the collection. Is it,or can it be made into, an operating engine? Also, where was it acquired from?
#4 Kirk Warner on 2014-06-12 10:58
Hi Kirk It is a running Alco although it might need a few repairs. That is a internal question and will be answered in due time. It's a really great addition. Come out and see it. Roger
#4.1 Roger Kramer on 2014-06-13 07:21
Where was it from original?
#5 Luke Solberg on 2014-06-12 16:23
Hi Luke A private owner purchased it from the CNW years ago and it has been earning it keep.
#5.1 Roger Kramer on 2014-06-13 07:16
I thought I have seen that alco in a picture on a tourist line a few years back.
#6 Luke Solberg on 2014-06-15 15:06
It's interesting that the long hood end is marked 'F'. There was a controversy a few months ago on a political website regarding how 'stupid' it is that the FRA requires the front of an engine to be marked 'F'. Intuitively these days, the short end looks to be the front of the engine. Great to see an intact CNW Alco on the property. Didn't see many at Proviso in the late '60s when I worked there. Mostly they seemed to be Wisconsin Division.
#7 Jim Dyer on 2014-06-16 10:37
In railroading, one must know whether the train movement is to be forward or backward. The direction of the loco' settled which was which. Diesel switchers were marked F at the engine end, not the cab end. Generally, ALCO units ran long-hood forward. Some roads (SOU-N&W) ordered there units with the long-hood forward no matter who built it.
#7.1 Jerry Pyfer on 2014-06-17 11:52
The positioning of the engineer's control stand determined whether long hood or short hood would be considered forward. A few railroads either ordered or refitted their road switchers with a second control stand so the engineer could switch sides and run with either long or short hood forward. I wonder which end those roads marked "F"!
#7.1.1 Mike Gorecki on 2014-06-18 00:33
Out of curiosity was this unit donated or purchased by the museum? Is there a GP 30 acquisition in the near future?
#8 MRZ on 2014-06-19 20:47
B & K E (Gary Baloun) has owned the 1689 since January 1981. I have leased or used the locomotive on the following operations since that time: Chicago Madison and Northern, Central of Wisconsin, Indiana Erie, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, Northern Central Railway Dinner Train, and Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. The locomotive has been stored at the Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum since summer of 2011 and many thanks to them for their incredible help. The locomotive has now been moved through the fantastic efforts of the Illinois Railway Museum in the honored company of the Streamliners returning home from the Spensor Festival. The locomotive is now at the Illinois Railway Museum where I will ultimately donate her to them. She is now right at home on a C&NW line sitting next to C&NW 411 and C&NW 6847. I have prepared the locomotive to return to service and fired her up on June 19th. She will need batteries and some TLC that one would expect for a 60 year old locomotive. Thanks for your support! Gary Baloun
#9 Gary Baloun on 2014-06-21 13:32
Thanks, Gary for your explanation and history. Years ago you took a risk purchasing the 1689 and now we at Irm are going to enjoy seeing your diesel on our high iron. Roger
#9.1 Roger Kramer on 2014-06-22 18:53
As a CNW fan, an Alco enthusiast, IRM member and diesel department supporter my sincere thanks for the opportunity to add this rare and beautiful locomotive to the collection!
#10 Nick Gawriluk on 2014-06-22 14:03
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