Comments on: When most people think Alco in Canada, they might think of Ontario Southland’s collection, Cartier’s fleet of big M’s, VIA’s passenger FPA4′s, or the large fleets run by CN and CP, but a lot of secondhand Alcos migrated up from the states in the 60′s-80′s to shortlines, regionals and industrial operations. Devco Railway of Glace Bay NS (formerly Sydney & Louisburg) acquired about a dozen secondhand Alco RS1 locomotives from Minneapolis & St. Louis and SOO Line in the early 60′s, that served as their primary diesel power unit newer power (including GMD GP38-2′s) sidelined most of them in the 80′s. Here, Devco RS1 208 sits next to the coal tipple in Sydney Mines, NS in 1982. The two bay coal hoppers are lettered for DR and DRXX. Devco RS1 208 began life as Minneapolis & St. Louis 946, built by Alco in August 1946, then renumbered 217, sold to S&L as their 208 in 1960, then becoming Devco 208. The unit was sold to Salem & Hillsborough in 1984 as their 8208, but was lost in their arson fire in 1994. Original photographer unknown, Dan Dell’Unto collection slide.

By: Klaucker

Klaucker — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 00:22:29 +0000

Dan…what an amazing shot…thanks for this !

awmooney — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 14:26:28 +0000

One heck of a rare shot. Thanks for posting !!

Brundle — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 07:00:36 +0000

What a terrific scene, all the ingredients in this photo would make for good fun on a model railroad.