Large Scale Central

Unit History

Does anyone have a good source of diesel frame history, from build through acquisition of railroads and then sold on the used market?

You can often dig this i formation up, or ask for it, on the appropriate forum at railroad.net. I know the forum for Pan Am has threads about specific locomotives and where they came from. I think it depends on what level of detail youre looking for.

Like Bob, I’ve often been able to dig this up. I believe there is a list of EMD build numbers on the net somewhere that has linage where known. A few years back when I was hanging train photos in the basement I wanted detailed captions and was able to find history on many steam and diesel locos.

More recently I went prototype hunting for my Fn3 roster when putting together the facebook page for my RR and my Roster album here http://www.largescalecentral.com/albums/view/11756

What specifically are you looking for?

Bob,

Really didn’t find a place to ask for info. Thanks, I’ll dig deeper. I’m familiar with railroad.net. I’ve looked for pictures there, but have not used it to ask for history. Currently asking on the St. Louis Yahoo Group and just wanted to see what else was available.

What I’m looking for is the history on Manufactures Railway number 258. MRS 258. I know that 256 and 257 were rebuilt from other SW1500’s and trying to find a little more on 258.

Your right. That particular loco is pretty elusive. I can find that it is currently operating as Foster Townsend Rail Logistics #258 but can’t find a serial number. If you can get the serial number from someone, tracing the history gets a lot easier.

If you find the serial number, then look here http://www.trainweb.org/emdloco/sw1500.htm

Got a great reply on the St. Louis Yahoo Group.

It came from a Joseph Ferguson and he said he uses x2000S, roster books, Diesel Era Magazines, Loconotes II newsletter, and EMD Product Reference Manuals.

Personally, he seemed like a great source as he found MRS 258, which is now FTRL 258 was NS2312, and before that Sou 2312 original sale. That one I don’t have the serial number or build order on.

Search continues.

Thanks for the link, Jon.

Anyone have a quick answer on a road name IU?

IU         INDIANAPOLIS UNION RAILWAY

Found here: 

 http://www.pwrr.org/rrm/rrmi.html

Indiana University, International Unit, South Korean Singer & Actress. Can’t find any railroad related references.

On your SW1500, from the info you posted I was able to find the serial number.

Serial # Built Date Order Number Model Road No. Road No.

4486 .68 7139- SW1500 SOU 2312 NS 2312

Thanks Jon, that’s what I got, also

Thanks Andy. Original reference on builds of a couple of MRS units.

“Manny” #258 is leased by an industrial customer in St. Louis

EMD MP15DC?

Ric said Unit

Rooster,

On the Manufacturers Railway engines when the railroad was bought out, I have -

251, 252 and 254 as MP15DC’s and bought new. With 255, 256, 257, 258 as SW1500’s, all from used units. 253 was rebult from MRS S-2, 208 and is classified now as a TE47-4E and rebuilt by M-K (Morris - Knudson), later known as MKRail.

So according to what you guys are saying this would be the same locomotive

http://www.nslocos.com/ns2312.html

Nice picture and listing Rooster. Thanks.

Ric

Have found nothing on the specifics you are looking for and doubt you will find that on the web however there are numerous pics out there of “Manny”…what are your plans …you gonna make him?

I’m building a collection of the MRS engines in HO. It is a local switching line and the engine house was very close to where I was with the USCG. Strong history in the St. Louis area. Forcing the grey matter to learn something new.

http://www.thedieselshop.us/MRS.HTML

http://www.thedieselshop.us/FTRL.HTML

Yes…I know …corner Rooster!