C&NW RSD5 1689 at Proviso, Illinois somtime in March 1981, photo by Chuck Zeiler. Built in April 1954 (c/n 80861), it was retired in March 1981, sold to Precision National Corporation, Mount Vernon, Illinois, re-sold to B&K Engineering in Wisconsin, re-sold to Chicago Madison & Northern Railroad as 1689, re-sold to Central Wisconsin Railroad, re-sold to Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, Cumberland, Maryland. The C&NW bought five RSD4's (#'s 1515-1517 and 1619-1620) and ten RSD5's (#'s 1665-1677 and 1684-1690) from Alco. Of these, all the RSD4's and five RSD5's were equipped with steam generators for suburban passenger service, 1689 was so equipped as built. It appears to have acquired some sort of winterization hatch. This is probably this locomotive's retirement party. |