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| PHOTOS: Mini Centuries (1409435) | |||
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PHOTOS: Mini Centuries |
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Posted by kp5308 on Tue Sep 20 21:52:28 2016 In 1968 the White Pass & Yukon found itself with growing traffic and a need of more motive power to help out the 11 unit fleet of GE "cab units". Alco proposed using the same in line 6 cylinder 251D series prime mover as the GEs but housed in a modified Century series carbody for better visibility. WPYR signed up for 7 to be delivered in mid 1969. Alco assigned the model DL535E to the order, similar in machinery to their export DL535 offering. This order of what the railroad would call the 101 class (101-107) although started by Alco at their Schnectady, NY plant, was shipped in pieces to the Alco Canadian subsidiary Montreal Locomotive Works to be finished when the decision was made to end production in the US. Some specs from The Diesel Shop: Engine Builder: Alco Products...Engine: 4-cycle Model 251D...Bore & Stroke 9" X 10.5"...RPM (Maximum / Minimum) 1100 / 400...Main Generator: GE - 581E...Horsepower: 1200...Gear Ratio: 90/17...Truck Type: Tri-Mount (6-Wheel) Configuration: C-C Weight: 246,500 lbs…Traction Motors: GE 764b12 (six)  Tractive Effort (starting) 35,600 lbs @ 25% Tractive Effort (continuous): 52,530 lbs @ 25 mph...Multiple Unit Capability: Yes...Dynamic Braking: Yes...Auxiliary Generator: GMG144...Air Brake: Westinghouse Model: 26L...Compressor: Westinghouse Model: 3CD...Fuel Oil: 1000 gallons...Lubricating Oil: 143 gallons...Engine Cooling Water: 199 gallons...Sand Capacity: 10 cu. ft.  Exterior Dimensions...Total Length 53'-05"...Pilot to Pilot 37'-03"...Wheel Diameter 40"...Truck Wheel Base 11'-00"...Height to Top Engine Hood 12'-08"(about 3 feet shorter than a standard gauge C630)...Height to Top Cab Hood 13'-00" Cab Width 9'-07"...Top Walkway Width 8'-02"...Walkway Width 5'-00" Engine Hood Width 9'-06"...Center Bolster 37'-08"...Center Front Truck to Front Pilot 8'-03"...Center Rear Tucrk to Rear Pilot 8'-03"...Distance between Truck Centers 45'-08"...Minimum Turning Radius 21 degrees. Check out how they measure up to the ex CN ballast cars:  Five months after their delivery the Skagway roundhouse caught fire & was a total loss. Two of the Alcos, #102 & #105 were severely damaged in the inferno. The railroad stripped them of usable parts & scrapped what was left. Three more (108-110) were licence built in December 1971 by Montreal Locomotive Works with the same DL535E specification as the 101 class. The only difference I noticed from the originals is the 2 round plugs on the nose:  The remaining 5 from the 1969 order were sold to Sociedad Colombiana de Transport Ferroviaro S.A. (Colombia) in 1992. In South America the the side handrails were removed & replaced with a long grab iron on the long hood. WPYR repurchased all 5 in 1999 but almost lost them at sea when a storm off the coast of California churned 20 foot waves & broke the welds holding #101 in place. The engine hung over the edge of the barge causing a very unbalanced situation. An emergency stop was made in Eureka CA to plan the next move. A barge with a crane was summoned from Oregon, the 5 Alcos were transferred from the damaged vessel & welded in place to take them on to Skagway, finally arriving on July 30th. They received new side handrails, were lightly refurbished & returned to service. All 5 kept their Colombian grab irons, easily seen in this shot at the Skagway locomotive facility. Looks like #104 is missing a section:  Mini Century (C612?) at the Skagway harbor...I think they are friggin' AWSOME!  |
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