Minuteman Diesels Episode 5: The RS2s and RS3s
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- The Boston & Maine's purchase ALCO RS2 and RS3 locomotives helped cement the railroad's push to modernize and move towards a road-switcher mentality. These locomotives proved useful in a variety of roles from the late 1940s to the 1970s. We'll examine the legacy of these much beloved diesels.
Having grown up on the west coast and being around such giants as the Southern Pacific, Union Pacific and the Western Pacific, which was an innovative railroad in and of itself. Your coverage of the history of the Boston and Maine railroad is an amazing look into this railroad and its interesting history. I appreciate the effort and work you and others have put into this presentation and sharing it with everyone to enjoy and learn from.
Babe! Wake up! New Minuteman Diesels episode just dropped again!
Thank you very much for letting me know the details of B&M's road-switcher RS-2s and RS-3s.
This is a wonderful and excellent video in which I was able to learn about the history, historical background, and modifications of each locomotive, as well as how they continued to be used until the end.
Now this is the type of stuff I'd go to a movie theater for. Great work!
RS-2's & RS-3's are my favorite ALCO engines. I think I now have 3 of 'em in HO scale. Two are AHM RS-2's and the third is an Atlas RS-3. The Central of Georgia had quite a few RS-3's & that's the road I model. Cheers from eastern TN
I knew B&M operated RS2s and RS3s, but I knew very little about the unit's service lives. This video answered the question of their years of service and also brought to light differences in things concerning paint and equipment options. Thank you for such an enjoyable video!
Of interest, the D&H leased former B&M 4075 to the Adirondack Railroad to run their Utica to Lake Placid service, for the 1980 Olympics.
I believe the shot of 4075 at 26:49 was taken at Old Forge, NY, in that service.
Another outstanding production Rick! Congratulations and thanks to all who contributed.
man, you're pumping out these videos! great job man!
Another great video! I am very grateful for the work you guys do to keep the memory of the late, great Boston and Maine alive. I saw the 1500 on the Bemis in Waltham in 1972 several times, and many RS3’s on Bemis as well. Also used to see the RS3’s on through freights on the Fitchburg occasionally, in the late 60’s and early 70’s, always looking dingy as you said Rick, to match the deplorable track conditions of the railroad at that time. I enjoyed this video immensely!
I am a fan of the RS Units for sure. This video was a wonderful watch and will probably watch again when it comes back into my feed. Hope that Lionel will make a Legacy version of this engine. I have a vintage picture of (I think) five RS units MUed together though that is of the Lackawanna. Keep on making these videos and I will keep on watching them.
Phenomenal and informative video as always!
Great job!!!
I was lucky enough to get a cab ride in D&M 975, in Mackinac city, late in the 70's. We switched the CHIEF WAWATAM car ferry, and the yard there. D&M kept them in good shape, and they passed into LSRC ownership. 974 was not repainted, 975 ended her career in LSRC colors. Today, the track north of Alpena/Gaylord is gone, like the Chief Wawatam, and the yard at Mackinac City.Gone, but not forgotten .
Great video!
Another amazing video, thank you!
Fantastic video, thank you! It was mentioned that these Alcos "sounded different". I can tell you that one Saturday we had one for the day in the Concord {NH} yard and I swear it sounded like it was running on rocks. Our normal SW1sounded like a Cadillac in comparison.
Thanks for the memories. Nice job.
Fantastic!
Great stuff. Thanks
My cub scout pack got a tour of the B&M shops because one of our fathers worked for the railroad. The things that stuck in my mind were the big heated caustic tanks used for parts cleaning, Mr. Sunskis starting an EMD switcher that was parked in the shop and being told they liked Alcos better than EMDs because Alcos were stouter machines built by a real locomotive company. I think they used the comparative sizes of Alco and EMD pistons to make the point. I don't know if that was the general opinion or just the guys working in the shop. This would have been in 1972 or 1973. Hard to imagine anyone letting a pack of cub scouts anywhere near those caustic tanks nowadays.
Cool video rs2 and rs3
Its cool to see some History of the old B&M in todays world! Mass Coastal down in Hyiannis still has 3 FL9s in the New Haven colors and they have an old B&M caboose still in the (what i believe) original paint scheme! Sadly it just sits in their yard on a storage track but the FL9s get used DAILY! on their Excursion trains
I love seeing odd ball locomotives. What is that B&M 1100 center cab in the beginning?
Boston and Maine GPs visited Newburyport a lot in the 60s and early 70s.
Mackinac is pronounced Mac-in-naw. Good video, appreciate your efforts
Long live the 1508!
Great video as always you love to see alcos! Btw If you guys ever need footage for a Vermont episode please don’t hesitate to reach out to me I got some footage of 405 and modern Vermont rail system
Hey Rick the last Alco purchase was actually the S-5's. ;)
Whoops! They'll get their due soon enough! Thanks for the clarification 🙏🏼
One hopes that the #1508 would at least be restored cosmetically to its original maroon and gold colors.
First rate Production.
The ALCO units had been painted with more durable paint than on the EMD units. Their paint held up much longer than contemporary EMD’s. EMD policy dictated that their units would be replaced with new ones after 15 years. B&M however, ran into financial problems in the early’60’s.
I do hope they can start a fund to get #1508 back to running. it will cost $$$, but maybe Conway Scenic can grab her.
Cp rail lease Rs3
Good mention! Yes, Canadian Pacific leased B&M RS3s a number of times in addition to GP7s and F7s.
22:45 what’s this unit right here?
likely b&m 1547
@@boston_and_maine It is, thank you
I have a huge old water cooled sharpening wheel that has a brass badge that says “ALCO Manchester No. 463” on it. It’s got a beautiful built-in cast iron water holding tub that the wheel sits in. The wheel itself is 34” diameter, 4” wide, and it weighs in around 500lbs.
Awesome video!