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With the new era of diesel technology flooding the market in the 1940's, Alco entered the market with it's tiny, but strong S1 and S2 locomotives. Built between April of 1940 and June of 1950, these engines were capable of 1000 HP (660 HP for the S1). Alco S-2 #7109 was built in 1943 and the Alaska Railroad acquired it from the US Army in 1955. It was rebuilt in 1972 and scrapped in 1973. John Henderson sheds a further light on its history: "I double checked with Bob Barrett and we are not sure the Alaska Railroad ever "owned" the four ALCO switchers they had. As we remember they were always "leased" and subject to return to the Army "in operating condition." This may be an interpretation of legal status between two government agencies. If anyone else can provide some information on this situation please chime in. I understand the 7123 was actually returned to the Army and stored on Ft. Richardson for several years. So far as the 1972 rebuild goes [on #7109] remember that the Alaska Railroad was a part of the federal government at that time. Strange budget things are sometimes done by government agencies (or companies) and a requirement to return the locomotive to the Army "in operating condition" could well have played a part in a decision to rebuild." |