It is early summer 1964, and K.C. Henkels captured RS-2
#302 at Green Bay.
GBW 302 was one of four RS-2s on the loco roster.
Despite the railroad's reputation for keeping their equipment
virtually spotless in the 1960s, it looks like it's been a while since
this unit was washed down. Besides the soot on the roof line,
check out the mud caked on the pilot and trucks. Compare it to
this photo of a very clean and
shiny #302.
There are a couple of interesting details in this photo: The
classification lamps on the end of the long hood were from a steam
locomotive; and the all-weather window was of an old design which would
soon be replaced on this loco (and all others) by one with much more
steel an a lot less glass. One of the unique spotting features of Alco
RS-2s (compared to the vary similar RS-3s) was the open space under the
frame between the trucks. This photo shows the engine as it was
delivered; in a few years all of the RS-2s had "belly packs"
added - salvaged fuel tank, air reservoirs and batteries from the GBW's
retired FA-1 fleet.
In the background is GBW #309, the railroad's only RS-11 sits behind
the #302. Later this year the engine would be rebuilt
with a new 2000 horsepower engine and a low short hood.
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