| Number: AS 1 | Name: none | |
|---|---|---|
| Date Built: | Date Purchased: 1993 | Date Sold: Sep 2002 |
| Line Built for: Algoma Steel | Disposition: D&S Serviceable | |
| Builder: GE | Model: 45-ton | Serial Number: |
| Style: diesel-electric | Type: Switcher | Wheel Arrangement: B-B |
| Track Gauge: 3' | Tractive Effort: 1,800 | Pressure/Power: 340 hp |
| Valve Gear/Transmission: Electrical | Driver Size: | Cylinder Bore: |
| Weight: ~47 ton | Engine Weight: | Adhesive Weight: |
| Grate: | Fuel Capy.: | Water Capy.: |
This unit is one of four GE 45 ton locomotives and two pair of spare trucks which reportedly came to the railroad November 5, 1993 from Kovanchick Salvage's acquisition of an Algoma Steel plant in Sault Sainte Marie. They are center cab diesel-electric locomotives. They have two 150 hp Detroit 6-71 diesel engines, one under each hood, and one traction motor in each truck directly powering one axle which is chain coupled to the other. They are of the 45 tonn class, which refers to a variant of the 44 ton class where there are two traction motors rather than four, with the other two axles driven by chains or siderods from the powered axle. Cosmetically, these differ from GE 44-toners in their undercarrige, which is divoid of tanks and reserviors and instead has a pair of variable gauge trucks.
The four units were part of a fleet of six at Algoma which pulled the ladle cars. A group of Standard Gauge 44 ton units also served the plant, dressed in a similar paint scheme. Reportedly these units were ballasted to 50 tons during their service live at Algoma Steel. 1, 4, 5 and 6 went to the EBT. This unit was #1. The disposition of the other two units is unkown.
One unit, the best, was resurrected as M-7. The other three unused units sat in the Locomotive Shop, except one that was displayed with what would be M-7 at the 1995 Fall Spectacular, the stored with its sisters. They were stored for possible reactivation or parts supply for M-7, but were never used as such. After the massive Colorado fires in 2002 that cased great losses to the Durango and Silverton when their steamers had to stop running due to the fire thread, the D&S started buying some diesels at reserve power. After buying and restoring a nearly identical 45 ton Arkansas Lime unit, the D&S purchased these three spare units from the EBT and started the haul to Colorado Septermber 17, 2002. The D&S did not pruchase the extra trucks.
This unit was restored to service by August 2005 as PB-II. PB apparently is the initials of the wife of the railroad's owner, Allen Harper. Overall the diesel units were useful on the D&S as yard witchers only. D&S proved the capability of the units by pairing AS1 (by then called PB-II) and the Arkansas Lime unit (now Hot-Shot 1) and pulling a test train to Silverton. However, another run on a loaded train failed after one of the units (PB-II or HS-1) failed on the grade. Generally these unit have had only limited success at the D&S. As their diesels are not turbo charged, they experience a major loss of power at the higher altitudes of the San Juan Mountians. Also they are geared to run very slowly (for steel plant service) and have no blowers to keep their traction motors cool, making them unsuted for mainline service or steep grades.
About mid April of 2006 the D&S acquired two US Steel 90-ton from the Lorain Works in Ohio through equiment dealer Duffy & Son. With this acquisitions, PB-II/Algoma Steel 1 was resold to the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad in Fish Camp CA. The locomotive was spotted there in mid September 2006 in a soid black paint scheme.
s/n 30857 blt 2/51
Old Eastie
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