ARKANSAS & MISSOURI MAY RETIRE ALCOS IN THE FUTURE

[Alcoman]

According to a news story, The A&M is investing millions of dollars in a new locomotive facility and new locomotives in the next couple of years which will mean the end of the ALCO's . It looks like its time to make another trip down there.

Here is a link to the story: http://tinyurl.com/63mafy8


Alcoman

[MEC407]

It looks like the future is about to arrive.

It was announced on the TRAINS Magazine web site today that A&M is purchasing three ex-EMDX demo unit SD70ACes. These units will reportedly be delivered in a modernized paint scheme which will utilize the traditional A&M colors. The announcement stated, "...the three new SD70ACes will handle the road freight duties for the entire railroad."

The specific use of the phrase "road freight duties" might possibly mean that A&M plans to keep some Alcos around for yard switching, locals, etc.

Nevertheless, the announcement did state that A&M will retire a number of Alcos as a result of bringing the new EMDs online.

The units being acquired by A&M are former EMDX 1201, 1202, and 1203. They will become AM 70, 71, and 72 (although the announcement didn't state whether or not they will be renumbered in that order). Paint and prep are being done at Progress Rail's Mayfield, Kentucky facility.

[MEC407]

Photo by Terry Redeker of EMDX 1202, now sporting A&M colors:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=3593379" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MEC407]

Three of A&M's new SD70ACes have now had their lettering and logos applied.

Photos by Redeker Rail Video:

A&M 70

A&M 71

A&M 72


And a group shot by Joe Ferguson

[lvrr325]

Modern logo and paint scheme and old fashioned railroad roman numerals.

[bk77]

The specific use of the phrase "road freight duties" might possibly mean that A&M plans to keep some Alcos around for yard switching, locals, etc.

...For now, although I think its safe to assume the SD's are only the beginning of new power for the A&M. Curious to see whats coming next...

[lvrr325]

You're not going to run the entire railroad on three engines; and given lower horsepower switch engines are not being made, and the ones that do exist are not cheap, I would expect Alcos to be around until it's utterly impossible to get parts or cannibalize parts to run them.