Ontario Midland's engine 5 was a "45 ton 44-tonner". Essentially a GE 44-tonner, it was ex-US Army and had an as-built weight of 45 tons. Intended for light moves which didn't require one of the big Alcos, the unit quickly wore out its novelty among the crews. "The Mouse" was its usual nickname, altho a few other names are probably better not printed here.
Its failings were twofold - first, it could not pull a sick hen off a nest. Second, its trucks had a problem with rigidity making it prone to derailing when it encountered low joints or excessive cross-elevation. At one point it derailed at the same exact spot on Mott's lead two or 3 trips in a row. When OMID's new engine house was nearing completion, The Mouse was the first piece of equipment to receive service. To mark the occasion, the employees all gathered outside the door, and a couple of the office girls held a banner (of TP, if you must know the truth
) The Pettibone loader shoved the loco toward the door, cameras clicked - and with a bang The Mouse hit the ties before it ever reached the Charmin!
In addition to full time employees OMID had a roster of part timers, who had full time jobs usually in Rochester but who came out more for the fun than for the money. Therefore they were allowed a bit more leeway in accepting or turning down a call to work on any given night. These guys knew they had an early date with the alarm clock, and it soon developed that before saying yes or no, they would ask what engine they would be getting. The Mouse? Sorry, I have something going on, can't work. About that time they might be informed they'd get an Alco instead, and gee, well, I guess I could come work if you really need me!
Eventually the unit was sold and loaded out on a lowboy. Ironically, as George Hockaday, the CMO, was preparing the unit for shipment, he found some problem and corrected it. He said the difference was like night and day, the engine came to life and apparently had some balz after all. The last I heard, it was still in use somewhere in southeastern Pennsylvania.
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Its failings were twofold - first, it could not pull a sick hen off a nest. Second, its trucks had a problem with rigidity making it prone to derailing when it encountered low joints or excessive cross-elevation. At one point it derailed at the same exact spot on Mott's lead two or 3 trips in a row. When OMID's new engine house was nearing completion, The Mouse was the first piece of equipment to receive service. To mark the occasion, the employees all gathered outside the door, and a couple of the office girls held a banner (of TP, if you must know the truth
) The Pettibone loader shoved the loco toward the door, cameras clicked - and with a bang The Mouse hit the ties before it ever reached the Charmin!In addition to full time employees OMID had a roster of part timers, who had full time jobs usually in Rochester but who came out more for the fun than for the money. Therefore they were allowed a bit more leeway in accepting or turning down a call to work on any given night. These guys knew they had an early date with the alarm clock, and it soon developed that before saying yes or no, they would ask what engine they would be getting. The Mouse? Sorry, I have something going on, can't work. About that time they might be informed they'd get an Alco instead, and gee, well, I guess I could come work if you really need me!
Eventually the unit was sold and loaded out on a lowboy. Ironically, as George Hockaday, the CMO, was preparing the unit for shipment, he found some problem and corrected it. He said the difference was like night and day, the engine came to life and apparently had some balz after all. The last I heard, it was still in use somewhere in southeastern Pennsylvania.
