"Yellow Jackets"

[Ponce de Leon]

I'm not sure you guys have seen an Interstate Railroad RS-3 in pristine condition. Here's a shot by Hank Stuart (an IRR official at the time) taken at Dorchester Junction, VA in May 1960. Number 37 was built as Alco demonstrator 1607 and came in solid blue paint with a single note Leslie "honker" air horn. Interstate crews dubbed her the "Blue Goose." When the company decided to dieselize with eight RS-3s, the 1607 was upgraded and repainted (by IRR personnel, but supervised by Alco folks) at Andover, becoming number 37. So, although it was the highest numbered of the group, it was actually the "first" unit on the property. The short line added two more (38 and 39) in 1956 when business warranted more power.

This was shot during the short line's last year as an independent. Southern acquired the company in 1961. The Alcos stayed at Andover until the fall of 1965, then headed to Georgia and the Carolinas, where they were repainted. The 37 had just been repainted, by the way.

Notice the brand new Silverside gons. The trestle and branch (to Dorchester) was abandoned several years ago.

For a coal-hauling short line, these units were certainly colorful.

[GrantTheClown]

That's one heck of a shot Ron! I wonder what type of steam they used before the ALCo's...

[Badhorse79]

Check here no pics but an idea hope it helps

http://www.interstaterailroad.net/id66.html

[GrantTheClown]

Thanks bud! What an odd steam fleet they had... pretty neat!

[Batman]

cool shot hank !