I wonder if NRHS knows A&M won’t be all Alco when the convention is there next June. What will this mean for the excursion operation and NRHS’s planned trips?
Rest assured, while we won’t be “all-ALCO” next year, we’ll still use quite a number of ALCO’s. Save for the Monett Turn, the daylight assignments will generally remain ALCO-powered (C420, C424, T6) for the foreseeable future. We look forward to seeing y’all at the NRHS convention.
Just because the A&M is getting SD70ACE for the fuel savings and added horsepower. What happens if one goes down. It can happen to any locomotive. And then out comes the ALCO’s
Good to hear that the Alco’s will still carry on. That great ‘show’ is noted, even from afar!
Reilly McCarren is a railroader’s railroader.
Even though I’ve made numerous trips there, I’m looking for ways to get there “one more time” before September.
As for the Alcos, nothing lasts forever. How many of us (besides me) stopped taking pictures of SD40s during the 1980s?
I’m actually surprised the Alcos have lasted this long. Back in 1994, I had the great opportunity to speak with Tony Hannold. At that time, he mentioned wanting to acquire new 4 axle GE’s.
I had the pleasure of riding the A & M full-day excursion a year ago; a great experience. I am sure the line will be keeping some Alco’s at the ready, as their shop has a large stash of parts. It was great to see a freight go by with five Alco’s in the lead, but, that’s a lot of fuel, and they are not in it for the photo opportunities. Hopefully, the EMD’s will lead to increased profits to allow the tourism side to continue. Eat at “AQ Chicken” if you go! -RDM
Thanks for the reassurance. Rode behind the RS1 from Springdale to Van Buren in about 1995. Had a great time. Employees were very helpful. We were able to get a lot of shots around the terminal before and after the trip. Will consider seriously the NRHS convention. Sounds like fun.
When I was a driver for JB Hunt in the 1990’s, the Monett Turn was a night job, going north around midnight, returning in the early morning, sometimes as late as 7 or 8 AM. The line runs right past our terminal in Lowell Ark. It was quite a sight and sound to witness the northbound turn going past at 45 or 50 MPH with close to 100 cars. I’d park on the track side of the shop and wait for the show. I’ll have to make it a point to get out and chase the turn a few more times before the SD’s show up. Those Alcos are pushing 50 years old, and some are already there. They couldn’t last forever.
Hate to see this Alco bastion change. I am an all Alco modeler and have visited and videoed the A&M several times in the 90’s. Have riden and videoed from the cab as well.
Isn’t the A&M the last sizeable all Alco roster railroad out there? Maybe their is some small outfit with 2 or 3 units, but its not the same as 4 or 5 units heading up a 100 car road train moving along at 49mph.
I visited Ft Smith property in 2010 and was impressed by employees there. Congrats on the new power. But the Alcos were a great experience.
Good luck on the new locomotives, the SD70ACes will serve you well. Growing beside the Norfolk, Franklin & Danville and watching N&W T6’s run there made me a lifelong Alco fan!