The RS-27s were notorious for overheating in warm weather. These two proved to be the most successful of the four the GB&W had (including the first one built, No. 310) as their cooling systems were upgraded. There was a lot of equipment crammed into those long hoods. It's evident how much bigger a C-424 was when it was coupled to a C-424.
The last time i was on the 316 and 318, the GBW still owned them. 2 different trips, one a bout train to kewaunee and the other was just moving some cars around between Norwood and the Mac yards. Boy how 40 plus years just flies by.
It’s definitely the end of the road for them on the MNNR I’ve heard multiple scenic railroads are interested in them. In a previous video on of the RS27’s had papers in the windows which almost always means it’s been sold or is heading some Where off the railroad.
Great Grandfather worked in the Schenectady shops..called all Alcos "Adirondack mountain Goats" said they thrived in winter air running up and down mountain grades that would end most other locos. The RS-27 in particular he called "Hob gobblins" 😂 he was very fond of them.
Thank you for capturing and sharing this action with us! I believe that this may be the first video of yours that I have seen (appearing as a recommendation in my feed), and as such, I really appreciated the various perspectives from your drone, and your very informative and engaging narrative style. Despite their (im)famous emissions issues, I sincerely wish that we still had ALCO or MLW around today, to add some variety to the (IMO) rather monotonous sea of GE/Wabtec and EMD/Caterpillar power. Hopefully, these units do have a happy post-retirement future ahead of them, and aren't relegated to the scrap heap of history, like so many of their counterparts have unfortunately been subjected to over the years.
That's Dan, John, and myself in the Impala pacing 318 a few seconds into the video. It was the first time I had chased one of these, and honestly thought a building was on fire - serendipitous that you caught us that day!
The RS-27 is easily my most favorite four-axle road switcher from Alco, with the RS-3 and RS-11 close behind in second place. I've even been considering doing an HO scale kitbash of a six-axle RS-27, which I've been referring to as an RSD-28.
I really do hope at least one of them is saved. It’s great that the Commercial kept them going for as long as they did. They both have many many trips across the state of Wisconsin under their belts. Great video!
My favourite loco of all time, I even have the ALCO operators manual for them. Sadly I never got the chance to see them in action in person as we live in Aus, perhaps one day if someone like GVT buys one or both. We can but hope they go to a good home and continue to provide us with living history of the great ALCOs.
Partially correct. Some of the smaller railroads got grants for newer T3/T4 power. Lots of regional and shortline outfits are going to used GE units, too.
Worker: Sir the engines smoking should we schedule repairs Boss: who’s its manufacturer Worker: alco sir Boss: oh nothings wrong with it then alcos do that
Farewell to the grandfathers of diesel locomotives. I've never seen them running myself, but I have seen them in that line of other stored locomotives in the yard. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the reasons besides age they aren't running anymore is because of the smoke they make. Probably has to do with government regulations on that amount of smoke but correct me if I'm wrong. Those other GE locomotives like the b39's b23's b36's and b30's got nothing on those ALCo's.
As the new locomotives are plagued with EPA emissions compliant equipment and regulations, cause massive failures and down time the old Alco RS-27’s will make a comeback, as they are not plagued with the emission compliant equipment and regulations. It’s just good ol turbocharged mechanical diesel technology. Simple reliable, and gets the job done.
One would hope that if these locos have been sold. The new owners better rebuild those worn out engines. Yes alcos do smoke even well tuned ones, but not like those.
It's true! When the throttle is advanced to quickly the fuel to air ratio is too high thus making all the smoke. When the turbo catches up then the ratio evens out and the smoke goes away. A lot of the time they are doing that is because someone was video taping though. I have seen these engines many times both in Green Bay and St.Paul.
The RS-27s were notorious for overheating in warm weather. These two proved to be the most successful of the four the GB&W had (including the first one built, No. 310) as their cooling systems were upgraded. There was a lot of equipment crammed into those long hoods. It's evident how much bigger a C-424 was when it was coupled to a C-424.
I’m 26 and gonna start working for mnnr as a engineer in a month im so excited. My dreams are coming true
The last time i was on the 316 and 318, the GBW still owned them. 2 different trips, one a bout train to kewaunee and the other was just moving some cars around between Norwood and the Mac yards. Boy how 40 plus years just flies by.
It’s definitely the end of the road for them on the MNNR I’ve heard multiple scenic railroads are interested in them. In a previous video on of the RS27’s had papers in the windows which almost always means it’s been sold or is heading some
Where off the railroad.
Great Grandfather worked in the Schenectady shops..called all Alcos "Adirondack mountain Goats" said they thrived in winter air running up and down mountain grades that would end most other locos. The RS-27 in particular he called "Hob gobblins" 😂 he was very fond of them.
Thank you for capturing and sharing this action with us! I believe that this may be the first video of yours that I have seen (appearing as a recommendation in my feed), and as such, I really appreciated the various perspectives from your drone, and your very informative and engaging narrative style. Despite their (im)famous emissions issues, I sincerely wish that we still had ALCO or MLW around today, to add some variety to the (IMO) rather monotonous sea of GE/Wabtec and EMD/Caterpillar power. Hopefully, these units do have a happy post-retirement future ahead of them, and aren't relegated to the scrap heap of history, like so many of their counterparts have unfortunately been subjected to over the years.
Great memories of these locomotives when they worked on the GB&W👍!
Very enjoyable video!
Glad you liked it! This was fun to make, and a step back in time going through all the old footage. Thanks for watching!
Amazing video on the RS-27s. Love how you still see the GBW on the long hood of the 318 and the GBW logo on the 316
That's Dan, John, and myself in the Impala pacing 318 a few seconds into the video. It was the first time I had chased one of these, and honestly thought a building was on fire - serendipitous that you caught us that day!
The RS-27 is easily my most favorite four-axle road switcher from Alco, with the RS-3 and RS-11 close behind in second place.
I've even been considering doing an HO scale kitbash of a six-axle RS-27, which I've been referring to as an RSD-28.
I used to sit on my Schwinn at the Norwood yard and watch them switch the yard and build trains in the 70’s
I really do hope at least one of them is saved. It’s great that the Commercial kept them going for as long as they did. They both have many many trips across the state of Wisconsin under their belts. Great video!
Great video. They are cool locomotives. Glad they have lasted as long as they have.
❤❤thanks. Truly a unique ALCO
Awesome video once again and we enjoyed watching. Have a great rest of your Monday.(Steve)
This channel is underrated, it definitely needs more views! Great video man, keep up the good work!
Them Alco RS27s are the "steam locomotives" of the Minnesota Commercial. Please save them from being scrapped!
I hope either the Minnesota Transportation Museum or the Lake Superior Railroad Museum gets at least one of them
Ive heard from the grapevine at my work that these two rs27s have been bought by someone
"Your work" sounds like a credible source of information
Amazing locomotives!
Excellent video my Friend ❤❤😍😍
Thanks for the post.
Very nice.
Excellent Video!
you gotta love a smoking and cussing alco they are the greatest
another great video
I love squeaky old horns like the one 316 has!!!!
Excellent video!!
That train has a good model form makes it look like a random train from a movie scene
In Australia we called it the efficiency haze
Floyd, how much pressure we runnin?
I don’t know, Charlie. The needle’s up where there ain’t no numbers!
Very nice video even know I missed it I’ll eat ch it sometime later
Hope it doesn’t get scrapped
My favourite loco of all time, I even have the ALCO operators manual for them. Sadly I never got the chance to see them in action in person as we live in Aus, perhaps one day if someone like GVT buys one or both. We can but hope they go to a good home and continue to provide us with living history of the great ALCOs.
What power is the Minnesota Commercial using now? I hope those ALCO’s get another chance, or at the very least are saved and put into a museum
GE power
When was their official last day of operation? I was in the twin cities last summer on vacation and wondered if I could of have caught them 🫠
There is an abundance of newer GE and Wabtec locomotives. That is the reason for the change.
Partially correct. Some of the smaller railroads got grants for newer T3/T4 power. Lots of regional and shortline outfits are going to used GE units, too.
... They're still shovelin' soft coal in those Alcos....
Hopefully the RS-27s and the rest of the ALCOs get put to good use in museums or tourist railroads.
Is this railroad entirely in yard/restricted limits? There's no marker on the last car.
I see Minnesota Commercial has more old relics from GB just like the Viqueens 😂😂
Worker: Sir the engines smoking should we schedule repairs
Boss: who’s its manufacturer
Worker: alco sir
Boss: oh nothings wrong with it then alcos do that
Farewell to the grandfathers of diesel locomotives. I've never seen them running myself, but I have seen them in that line of other stored locomotives in the yard. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the reasons besides age they aren't running anymore is because of the smoke they make. Probably has to do with government regulations on that amount of smoke but correct me if I'm wrong. Those other GE locomotives like the b39's b23's b36's and b30's got nothing on those ALCo's.
As the new locomotives are plagued with EPA emissions compliant equipment and regulations, cause massive failures and down time the old Alco RS-27’s will make a comeback, as they are not plagued with the emission compliant equipment and regulations. It’s just good ol turbocharged mechanical diesel technology. Simple reliable, and gets the job done.
No they won't. The railroad has plenty of Dash 7s and Dash 8s to make sure the ALCOs are never needed gain.
The RS27 wasn't exactly a model of reliability. The T4 GE's are the most reliable units currently in use on most Class 1 roads.
Rolls coal like my truck steam engine style badass
Spot on, and it looks good while doing it too! Thanks for the comment, and watching.
That's not something I'd boast about, unless you really like spewing toxins into the atmosphere and think there's no consequence.
How'd you know it was headed to snelling and county Rd C? And here I thought smoking Alco's were only in India. Nope, they're right in my backyard.
Alcos are not done I work for a tugboat company to my amazement we have several alco powered boats
One would hope that if these locos have been sold. The new owners better rebuild those worn out engines. Yes alcos do smoke even well tuned ones, but not like those.
YOU BASTERDS! YOU KILLED ALCO!!!
I don't know if the turbo lag story is true or just someones guess.
It's true! When the throttle is advanced to quickly the fuel to air ratio is too high thus making all the smoke. When the turbo catches up then the ratio evens out and the smoke goes away. A lot of the time they are doing that is because someone was video taping though. I have seen these engines many times both in Green Bay and St.Paul.
Tier -4.
Stinks.
I used to sit on my Schwinn at the Norwood yard and watch them switch the yard and build trains in the 70’s