| Posted by XE-50W on June 17, 2025 | |
EF-2 #E-50A/E-47C/E-50B w/trio of GP-40's on a No.264 approached site of E switch for old Penfield (siding retired c.1945, although catenary remained in-place) near M/p 1506 on Rocky Mountain Division's 4th subdivision on 1.66% (compensated) grade w/in ΒΌ mi. from W portal of Pipestone Pass tunnel (No.11, a 2,290 ft. bore). Summit of grade by M/p 1505.3 @ top-of-rail el.6048 ft. above msl, highest point on RR then (and for next seven years after original slide taken off N shoulder of old US highway No.10/Harding Way) just W/b from W switch of Donald. "Butte" was near M/p 1521, and that "helper motor cut-in" @ Butte Yard near M/p 1519.7 (top-of-rail el.5,480 ft. above msl).
The #E-50A/B was RR's first boxcab, built in Sept., 1915 and made first official electrified operation of then-CM&StP main from Eustis (Substation No.4) to Butte (BA&P depot on W side of Utah Ave.) on Nov.30th as the #10200A/B w/then Ry.'s president A.J. Earling's car "Walworth" and caboose #801. It was the last w/the maroon paint scheme (seen above), and retired following a frame failure from mishandling "slack action" while descending the St. Paul Pass grade E/b above Haugan w/in a week or so after original slide for above was taken (ref.: https://arc.lib.montana.edu/mor/rvndb/rvn_location_jpeg_rec.php?objno=RVN29944; see also stored behind/S-of Deer Lodge shops the following April, ref.: https://www.flickr.com/photos/157473713@N02/54588763679/in/dateposted/).
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A fantastic look at a long-gone operation; two paint schemes on the boxcab helpers, classic quad headlight, stubbed cat poles, etc. Looks like the 2nd diesel may have been having some issues- with its access doors open.
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