Tonawanda Coke Alco S3 #1976. (or number 76)

[scottychaos]

I finally got a confirmation that this unit actually exists!
for years, I had it listed as a "mystery unit" on the NY Alcos page, but I just added it as an actual unit:

http://gold.mylargescale.com/scottychaos/ny-alcos/

I got an email from a former plant employee, who said the unit is in fact there, its long out of service, and they call it "the 76"..
If you go to http://maps.live.com/
do a search for:
3875 River Rd, tonawanda, ny
switch to "birds eye view", the unit is clearly visable..
its the light blue switcher..the Red & grey unit is an EMD..
(I was going to post a screen shot, but I cant get my computer to grab a screen shot for some reason..)

I can find no data on this unit!
no history..nothing at all..

anyone know its history?
it is the only known Alco S3 in NY state..

For awhile I thought it might be NYLE 76, but that unit has been in Gowanda for many years..
NYLE 76 and Tonawanda Coke 1976 (or 76) clearly arent the same unit.

thanks,
Scot

[nydepot]

TC #1976 is nee-Maine Central #961
Built 3/53
c/n 80290

Charles

[scottychaos]

Thanks Charles!
im always impressed by the information you possess!

Scot

[scharnhorst]

Tryed that live maps link unit is vary visable but page locks up on me.

Google Earth shows that loco as well but it blurs out when trying to zoom in.

[pablo]

Worked fine for me! Looks a bit sad and beaten up...but she's there!

Dave Becker

[thebigham]

Is it still in use?

[nydepot]

Your next task is to go into birds eye view and go around the property zoomed all the way in. Try to find all the engines.

Charles

If you go to http://maps.live.com/
do a search for:
3875 River Rd, tonawanda, ny
switch to "birds eye view", the unit is clearly visable..

[BR&P]

Is it still in use?

Chris - see the OP -

the unit is in fact there, its long out of service,

Without seeing it, I'd bet heavy money it's on friction bearings, making whatever else ails it secondary as far as finding a new active home for it.

(I bet my old English teacher would cringe at a sentence structure like that! )

[Kuyahoora Valley]

ALCO S3 Tonawanda.JPG (40.94 KiB) Viewed 419 times

[scottychaos]

Your next task is to go into birds eye view and go around the property zoomed all the way in. Try to find all the engines.

Charles

The only other loco I see is what appears to be a very tiny critter..a very small 4-wheel type thing..
(making three locos total)
anything else?

A second note from my source says the Alco S3 has been there since at least 1978, and was in good shape then.
but has since fallen into disuse and disrepair..its now in bad shape, and hasnt run in many years..

Scot

[scottychaos]

ok..I think I have figured out the confusion between this unit and NYLE 76..
a roster here: http://www.thedieselshop.us/NYLE.HTML
and a few other places around the internet,
say that NYLE "1976" is the Alco S3 at Tonawanda Coke..
we now know they are not the same unit..

The confusion is easy to understand though..
since they have worn the same number, and have both worked at Tonawanda Coke!

NYLE 76
Alco S2
Built 12/48
c/n 76511
nee South Buffalo 84
Renumbured to No. 76 in 1975, painted in BSOR Bicentennial scheme.
to RSC 76 (Republic Steel)
To Donner Hanna Coke (Tonawanda Coke).
to NYLE 76 in 1999.
(source - the book "South Buffalo Railway" by Stephan M. Koenig)
currently stored, derelict, on the NYLE in Gowanda, used as a parts source.
http://www.railfan.net/railpix/submit/s ... NYLE76.jpg

Tonawanda Coke 76
Alco S3
Built 3/53
c/n 80290
nee-Maine Central #961
Has been at Tonawanda Coke since at least 1978,
and is currently (2009) still there, stored unservicable.
as far as I know, this unit has never been associated with the NYLE..

Was the actual NYLE 76 (the one currently in Gowanda) ever numbered NYLE 1976?
or has it always been NYLE 76?
I dont believe there has ever actually been a NYLE number 1976..
but im not 100% certain on that..

thanks,
Scot

[nydepot]

I think it's always been 76.

And you found the other critter, Scot.

Charles