Post by pjd on Aug 1, 2010 2:41:33 GMT -5
After several weeks in the ARL shops , the combined crew of Patrick and Shane have brought Czarina Ludmilla #1867 to the main line. Her back story follows the builders photo. To see how she came together on a minimal budget, check out Czarina Ludmilla Russian Diesel in the What's On the Bench section.
Alaska Rail Link ARL 1867 "Czarina Ludmilla"
Shane P. Durand is the man behind the Alaska Rail Link. Back in 1996 while attending Rail Fair in Sacramento with his dad they meet Nicola Pioskowski, a representative from Polish State Railways, who was there trying to sell reconditioned Steam Locomotives.
Not in the market for a steam loco at the time we expressed passing interest in high horsepower diesel electrics suitable for arctic conditions. Six years later Nick calls with one of those offers. His rebuild facilities in Poland are setting on several former GDR (East German) BR 142 class 4000 HP variants of the very popular BR 131/231 Heavy Goods Diesel Locomotive. Seems there was some dispute about paying for the upgrades.
Nick was pitching a demonstration deal that included delivery to Anchorage Alaska on their very own Heavy Lift Vessel. A spare Type S D 49 v16 turbo charged 4 cycle diesel along with 6 traction motors and electrical cabinets were included in the final deal struck. The engine was equipped with fuel saving 8 cylinder idle mode and HEP derived from the prime mover which required half throttle when in use.
1251 of these locomotives were built for the GDR at the Soviet Locomotive Works in Lugansk in various configurations based on the BR 131/231 starting in 1972, and many are still in service as of 2010. While the Russian rails are 5 ft gauge these export locos were Standard Gauge.
A deal was struck for an undisclosed sum and the locomotive listed by its first build number 131/009-3 was delivered to the Port of Anchorage along with some spares. While in rebuilt condition she needed paint and the wheels did not match ARL profile so she went into the shops for evaluation. Her original build plates and shield were found in the bottom of an electrical cabinet and as a courtesy to the locomotive's heritage were cleaned and applied in their original prominent mount.
Dubbed Czarina Ludmilla by the ANRy crews the locomotive was made compliant with some American appliances. Unfortunately engineering upgrades for MU operation with the EMD/Caterpillar fleet was deemed too expensive for just one locomotive. HEP equipment was reconfigured for 440 volt service. Number 1867 was applied in commemoration of the year that Alaska was purchased from Russia.
The Model ANRy Czarina Ludmilla started life as an 1:87 scale Revell plastic static kit from Gemany. Kit #02185. The chassis and power plant started as a Life-Like p2K SD9 which needed to be stretched by 4 ft to match the bolster pins with the plastic model. The CFO, Mr. Cash Pennymaker was never in favor of this purchase but has come to enjoy the challenge of documenting it for the FRA. He has simply entered it in the books as an SD-9L export rebuild with the serial number of a deceased unit.
Patrick Durand, Chief Mechanical Officer ARL Built date July 29, 2010
Alaska Rail Link ARL 1867 "Czarina Ludmilla"
Shane P. Durand is the man behind the Alaska Rail Link. Back in 1996 while attending Rail Fair in Sacramento with his dad they meet Nicola Pioskowski, a representative from Polish State Railways, who was there trying to sell reconditioned Steam Locomotives.
Not in the market for a steam loco at the time we expressed passing interest in high horsepower diesel electrics suitable for arctic conditions. Six years later Nick calls with one of those offers. His rebuild facilities in Poland are setting on several former GDR (East German) BR 142 class 4000 HP variants of the very popular BR 131/231 Heavy Goods Diesel Locomotive. Seems there was some dispute about paying for the upgrades.
Nick was pitching a demonstration deal that included delivery to Anchorage Alaska on their very own Heavy Lift Vessel. A spare Type S D 49 v16 turbo charged 4 cycle diesel along with 6 traction motors and electrical cabinets were included in the final deal struck. The engine was equipped with fuel saving 8 cylinder idle mode and HEP derived from the prime mover which required half throttle when in use.
1251 of these locomotives were built for the GDR at the Soviet Locomotive Works in Lugansk in various configurations based on the BR 131/231 starting in 1972, and many are still in service as of 2010. While the Russian rails are 5 ft gauge these export locos were Standard Gauge.
A deal was struck for an undisclosed sum and the locomotive listed by its first build number 131/009-3 was delivered to the Port of Anchorage along with some spares. While in rebuilt condition she needed paint and the wheels did not match ARL profile so she went into the shops for evaluation. Her original build plates and shield were found in the bottom of an electrical cabinet and as a courtesy to the locomotive's heritage were cleaned and applied in their original prominent mount.
Dubbed Czarina Ludmilla by the ANRy crews the locomotive was made compliant with some American appliances. Unfortunately engineering upgrades for MU operation with the EMD/Caterpillar fleet was deemed too expensive for just one locomotive. HEP equipment was reconfigured for 440 volt service. Number 1867 was applied in commemoration of the year that Alaska was purchased from Russia.
The Model ANRy Czarina Ludmilla started life as an 1:87 scale Revell plastic static kit from Gemany. Kit #02185. The chassis and power plant started as a Life-Like p2K SD9 which needed to be stretched by 4 ft to match the bolster pins with the plastic model. The CFO, Mr. Cash Pennymaker was never in favor of this purchase but has come to enjoy the challenge of documenting it for the FRA. He has simply entered it in the books as an SD-9L export rebuild with the serial number of a deceased unit.
Patrick Durand, Chief Mechanical Officer ARL Built date July 29, 2010
