Thought some of you might like to see this.

One of the exWT RS-1's at the power plant in Motown...I've never seen this engine in operation, but for the past couple of weeks, they moved it around back. When ever I'd pick up a train down here, I saw a bunch of men working all over it, hood doors open, and some service trucks parked nearby.

For a second, I thought I might be witnessing scraping, but apparently that wasn't the case. Sadly, I didn't have the benefit of time to go up and ask what's going on with the engine. What's interesting about the engine, it has roller bearing trucks. The sister RS-1 at Chalk has friction bearings. Both plants have older RS-1s stored around back as parts donors.

With the work they were doing to this engine the last few weeks, they obviously have some plan for her... although day to day operations are handled by EMD SWs, not the RS-1s.

I'd love to see this thing run. If anyone has any more info on these RS-1s, feel free to share. Only thing I know is they're exWT engines.

A few years ago a plant manager overseeing rail operations told me the Alco was only used for back-up power and that an EMD is the primary locomotive for switching needs. You may have seen employees performing maintenance to ensure it is still operable if needed.

Word on the street is that the friction bearing RS-1 (50?, in Newington VA) is headed to a new home in the Northeast and a truck swap out should be happening. Trucks are from another RS-1 that suffered freeze damage and was scrapped in the 80's. I do not know what is going on with the other (roller bearing) RS-1.

That was the story I was told.

Here is a crappy cell phone picture of the RS-1 at Chalk Point. Again, sorry for the terrible photo... usually there are plant workers around where the engines are kept, and it goes without saying, taking photos from within an active power plant would probably get the FBI on you in a heartbeat...



The RS-1 in Newington that worked at Bardane seemed to be in pretty bad shape. A co.worker/buff visited it in November, said the cab was welded shut and the windows boarded up. Just an all around ugly sight. I hate seeing this engines sit and rust.

I have no particular love for RS-1s, just for trains/railroads in general. And I also think it's cool that they're unique to this area as ex WT engines.

The Chesapeake Railway Association organized tours of the Morgantown, Chalk Point and Dickerson power plants within the last few years, and only at Dickerson was photography forbidden.

As for the derelict locomotive in Newington, it used to be possible to climb into the cab, but as of my last visit a few weeks ago, the cab was sealed shut. Inside the cab one had to watch one's footing because a panel on the ceiling had been left open, allowing in years of rain water, resulting in a big hole in the floor. The locomotive has been severely vandalized and parts have been removed. Anyone seeking to restore it certainly has his work cut out for him.

Just to clarify, you might have been able to take pictures as some part of a controlled group touring the facilities, but make no mistake, there are PLENTY of signs and placards around explicitly warning against taking photos. I'm sure most of the guys don't care, especially since they're used to seeing us milling about getting trains ready, but there is always that ONE person that makes a deal out of things.


On the subject of the power plant, found this plate on one of the rails at a switch inside Chalk Point. The way I read it, looks to be Atlantic Coast Line Railway, May 1952.... thought it was neato :)