Iowa Interstate ALCo. units...

Hey guys,

IAIS still have thier ALCo. (well, Bombardier) M-420 units at Council Bluffs, or have they sold them off? Thinking about taking a road trip to Council Bluffs to see them sometime this spring.

they are still there. Usally they have at least one of them , but I often catch the 3 of them.

Craig Levine,
Sioux City, IA

Don't rush out there without calling the railroad first. I understand that all 3 M420's (BTW are MLW) are out of service and may be up for sale.

Alcoman,

Well, it isn't going to be anytime soon (work schedule prohibits), but I'll give the railroad a jingle before I head down.

Also, my bad on the MLW/Bombardier thing... thought the M420s were a Bombardier product.

on the Iowa Interstate Yahoo group they discussed 802 on the road this week end. It also mentioned that it was the last one running.

Craig Levine

It would be a shame to see these unique M-420R's disappear from the Midwest scene. Knowing a RR that is almost all EMD, its only a matter of time until that last unit is out-of-service. Hopefully they will be sold to an Alco friendly RR, such as the Arkansas & Missouri :D . Hey, Alcoman, you think Casey would want some M-420R's?

Why not send 'em up here to the Minnesota Commercial? They already have one (that I know of) M-420 unit on the roster and it, too, is an ALCo. friendly road.

Hello,

Acording to the Iowa Interstate Yahoo group the last M420, 802, had a fire and has been sidelined. This and the other ones are all in Council Bluffs waiting disposition.

Crai Levine
Sioux City, Iowa

Yeah, story of my lfie, no time (and no friends willing to drive to Iowa) to see 'em in action, then, BOOM, they're all on the deadline .

But, as I said before, hopefully they'll head north here to the Minnesota Commercial. Although, the A&M wouldn't be too bad either.

Hello,

802s fire damage was miner, and is back in service around Council Bluffs. It wont be in sevice long so if any one wants to see it they better hury. New power is suppose to arive for the Iowa Interstate in June, then I am sure it will be retired.
I better make my trip sortly myself.


Craig Levine
Sioux City, Iowa

802 ia indeed in service. Someone just sent me a couple of photos of 802 plus the others.

Alcoman

New power may be on the lot but heads up! 802 has been a regular on CBBI and BICB this week leading in one case!Get out there now last I knew she was heading west on the BICB train and it is supposed to be late getting out so it will be daylight on the west end till it gets to CB.Last I heard they are running the snot out of her I think they will have to send her to the Quad Cities to get rid of her.There seems to be an engineer out in CB that loves Alcos and he always used to take one on the UP transfer and make fun of their engines over there.Not sure how long this will last will try to keep you all updated. Plus me thinks it is with IAIS 400 which was RI 1275 so two priceless units for you all.

802 is indeed alive and well, or was as of June 20, at least, when I saw it leading what I assume was a BICB train between Rock Island and Iowa City. Five geeps and two GP38s were also working the 70-something car train; two or three were dead, I think. I was thrilled to see the Alco leading.

Hello,

802 was ideling last Monday the 9th. The other 2 were scattered around the yard in Council Bluffs.

Craig Levine
Sioux City, Iowa

Komachi wrote:Why not send 'em up here to the Minnesota Commercial? They already have one (that I know of) M-420 unit on the roster and it, too, is an ALCo. friendly road.

I read somewhere where MC wouldn't buy anymore Alco's apperntly that was just a myth. Also do the M420's ever run to Chicago