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
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
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.
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.
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"!
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
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
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!