GM&O (and later ICG) depended on RS-1s for about 30 years, from the start of deliveries in 1945, until ICG finally pulled the plug in late 1975 and replaced the Alcos with a flood of geeps. In Montgomery, the little units performed switching, transfer and road freight duties. Here, 1117 has delivered a transfer cut to L&N and is returning to West End Yard engine-light, as was usual practice. Those are the Union Station leads in the foreground, mostly unneeded by the time of the photo, as passenger service was down to just Amtrak's Floridian.
Trains don't run themselves--they're ultimately run by people. This album showcases the hardworking folks that make railroads work, as well as emphasizing the size of these great machines in comparison to their masters. All photos must include a visible h
