10 Alco 1000 hp switchers (S-2) and 20 Alco 1000 hp road-switchers(RS-1). The road
switchers were to replace some of West Central's aging fleet of branchline steamers.
As history has it, World War II interfered, and the West Central's 20 road switchers
went to Iran and Russia, never to return. The war board alloted 30 4-8-4 mainline
steam locomotives to the West Central to make up for it. The West Central would
get no more diesels until after the war, when they received some of the early Alco
FA & FB-1s, and a few RS-2s. For their crack streamliners, Alco PA-1s.
An Alco FA-2 #446 moves freight through a tunnel on a now
abandoned West Central line. Circa 1955. The West Central
experienced a little trouble with the Alco FAs when first added
to the roster in 1947, but strict maintenance and better lubrication oil
eliminated the problem and the West Central used the 244 powered
Alcos until the prime movers were replaced by 251 1800 hp engines
in the 1960s. They are presently in storage and operated during
times of power shortages. Model Power painted
by club member Dennis Hamilton.
In the 1960s, the West Central needed more locomotive power. They
purchased quite a number of Alco Century series units. The 750 in this
picture is a 2500 hp Century 425. These did very well for the West Central
and can still be seen to this day on main and branchline service.
Photo taken in September 1967 on 750s first revenue trip. At that
time, many thought that 2500 hp would be about the limit for a 4
axle diesel, and some roads bought these with high adhesion trucks to
keep this much horsepower under control.. Atlas model painted by
Club member Dennis Hamilton.
An Alco Century 420 (West Central #701) emerges from the tunnel with an
RS-11 in trail sometime in the 80s. These 2000 hp units worked out very well for the West Central and are still used in branch line work, although some parts are getting harder to find. Notice the black Alco smoke from this unit. We wouldn't want to be in the tunnel after several of these units went through. Model built by Model Die Casting (Lima of Italy) and painted by Dennis Hamilton.
One of West Central's RS-2s
switches
reefers for icing in the Midland Meats area, sometime in the early
50s.
The RS series didn't get the gold striping separating the red and black
like the FAs and later Century diesels, but still made for a strikingly
good looking locomotive. AHM model painted and modified by Dennis
Hamilton.
Another angle on the Union Ice
Company. All reefers passing through Woodland
Yard that needed icing had to be
backed into here. This track is also the lead to
the stockyards for Midland Meats,
so this is a very busy area.
To see more Diesel
Photos click here!
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