1949 Alco S2 to new home in Pennsylvania

[miyakoji]

This is an interesting story.  This Alco S2, built in 1949, was originally Lehigh and New England 611.  When operations there ceased in 1961, it was transferred to Ford Motor Company in Michigan.  Its last revenue role was at a grain elevator in Indiana, where it worked until 2008.  It's just been moved to Topton, Pennsylvania where some restoration will be done before it runs on the Allentown & Auburn Railroad.

 

A bit of text that appears several places online says that the previous owners were paid about $35,000, and $8,000 to $10,000 in repair and restoration would be needed.  The move (and loading and unloading, I assume) would be about $60,000, but that was an estimate from last year.  Emporia, Indiana to Topton, PA is about 590 miles by automobile.  I'd be interested to know what it actually cost total and how it breaks down.

 

 

http://www.american-rails.com/lehigh-and-new-england-railroad.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lehigh_and_New_England_Railroad

http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2015/05/fundraiser-aims-to-more-restore-last-lne-diesel-locomotive

http://allentownandauburnrr.com/

[bikkuri bahn]

It's amazing that they can still keep those Alco 539 engines running.  Must be enough spare parts still around.

[marknewton]

You're right bb, there are a number of companies worldwide that supply new or reconditioned Alco parts. As you probably know, the 539 series engines were widely used in industrial and marine applications as well as locos so there's still plenty of them at work. I've never had my hands on a 539 but I've worked on a number of 251 series engines, they're fairly easy to maintain, and if you look after them they'll just keep on running. So I reckon this S-2 should be good for many more years.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.