C-420 7222 to Michigan?

[jimnorthwood]

Per Railroads Illustrated, May 2013 issue, page 13:

"One of the remaining privately-owned Alcos on the (Cliffs-Erie) property (C-420 7222) has been sold to an operator in Upper Michigan to haul copper concentrate. The engine will be moved later this spring."

Does anyone know anything about this? The new Mineral Range, perhaps, that is planned to start around Humboldt?

[CAT345C]

Oh my! I may not be able to contain my foamer self if this is true

[J T]

This it?

[Y@]

This it?

That would be the one.

[Standard Railfan]

The only place I have heard of that will be hauling copper concentrate is the Humbolt facility of Rio Tinto. The Mineral Range is the only likely choice.

Hmm, an Alco running in the Upper Peninsula. Almost like the old days all over again.

[GAP]

Has the missing track been reconstructed to the processing site? I haven't heard a thing about that lately. The new (replaced) track would have to cross US-41 and also M-95 so it seems like someone would have seen this and reported it. Exciting news, anyway.

[AARR]

I've read that the C420 had considerabley less tractive effort than many of the other ALCo's including the RS2, 3, 11, 424, and 425. Yet, it seems to have been a popular engine (for ALCo). For that matter the M420's also had very low tractive effort.

In the real world though were they good pullers? How about compared to other ALCo's?

[Sppengelly]

If other ALCO locomotives have a better tractive effort/force, Mineral Range could consider purchasing the LSRC 469 in Saginaw, maybe use it as a parts source.

-Sean

[Tom567]

I've read that the C420 had considerabley less tractive effort than many of the other ALCo's including the RS2, 3, 11, 424, and 425. Yet, it seems to have been a popular engine (for ALCo). For that matter the M420's also had very low tractive effort.

In the real world though were they good pullers? How about compared to other ALCo's?

The C-420'a are great locomotives. Everyone that I've been around has been a great puller. And the best part is the fuel efficiency. A properly maintained 251C prime mover will out perform about anything.

You don't see many available on the open market.

Just ask places like Arkansas & Missouri and Delaware Lackawanna....

[blackjack1518]

Has the missing track been reconstructed to the processing site? I haven't heard a thing about that lately. The new (replaced) track would have to cross US-41 and also M-95 so it seems like someone would have seen this and reported it. Exciting news, anyway.

Here is an article about Rio Tino move to scale back its mine production and processing schedule until second half of 2014.

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/conte ... -area.html

[12Bridge]

If other ALCO locomotives have a better tractive effort/force, Mineral Range could consider purchasing the LSRC 469 in Saginaw, maybe use it as a parts source.

-Sean

Not much in common between an RS and a C420.

[CAT345C]

They found Uranium traces a few weeks ago in the run off water at the site of the Eagle mine I'm not sure if that will slow progress down at the mine or not. The article I read didn't seem to put too much urgency into the matter.