Monticello MRyM acquires C&IM RS1325 #31 and IT SW1200 #784

Thomas Cornillie · **Joined:** Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:19 pm **Posts:** 272

One of the unique features of the IT's SW1200s was the notches in the corners of the frame to allow the locomotive to navigate sharp curves found on the IT's former electric division. I'm only aware of one other EMD switcher that had this feature - the SW 900 delivered to Pickering Lumber as #104 (I would gladly be corrected on this).

A photo of Pickering Lumber 104 working for it's second owner, the Toole Valley, may be found here: http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5360668

According to the 2005 book The Illinois Terminal Railroad - the Road of Personalized Services by Dale Jenkins, this group of 12 switchers were also equipped with MU controls and were geared for 65mph.

On the Sequatchie Valley the unit appears to have swapped its Flexicoil trucks with AAR trucks from an nee-Erie NW-2 (Originally Erie 405) that may be the earliest surviving Erie EMD of any type (if it still exists).

exprail · **Joined:** Fri Jul 07, 2017 2:37 pm **Posts:** 83

Because the IT ran on trackage rights of many of their owning railroads after the electric operation stopped they needed to to be able to operate at a variety of speeds. In addition the road trucks on these units gave the crews a much better ride on poor track.

Having run switch engines on short lines with poor track I much preferred those with road trucks to negotiate severe cross level and battered rail end, track.

Exprail

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2877

Today, MRM created an Illinois Terminal train (their track is mostly ex-ITC) for the first time in decades as #784 was delivered: https://www.facebook.com/railwaymuseum/ ... 6421265656

exprail · **Joined:** Fri Jul 07, 2017 2:37 pm **Posts:** 83

Actually, most of MRM's trackage is the former IC/ICG branch which runs along side the old ITC ROW ... and which in later years the ITC had trackage rights on. The existing 2 mile portion of the old ITC is stub ended and used used for car storage as necessary.

Exprail

Nova55 · **Joined:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:09 pm **Posts:** 597

The frame notches are to clear the brake cylinders on the Flexicoil trucks. All SW's that were built with those have the notches. I would imagine it is on the wish list to put a set back under her?

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sun Sep 11, 2022 8:02 pm

And now the other RS1325 is headed to the Illinois Railway Museum, the result of donations by both Genesee & Wyoming and IRM benefactors:

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews ... ay-museum/

LeoA · **Joined:** Mon Sep 28, 2015 12:30 am **Posts:** 312

Anyone know what was traded to Knoxville for the SW1200?