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Beginning in the mid-70s, the North Western assigned a fleet of former N&W high nose Century C628 units to its ore territory in Upper Michigan. By the late 80s, the ALCo six motor power's days were numbered. I found a great video of these locomotives in service filmed not long before their retirement:

 

 

The YouTube poster, John Pechulis Media, offers a range of DVD programs which consist of old films digitally restored utilizing advanced techinques pioneered in Europe. The results are quite remarkable.

 

Enjoy,

 

Bob    

Last edited by CNJ 3676
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Now that was a unique sounding horn!  I didn't remember that.  That train looks like an all-rail ore movement since they were using roller bearing equipped hoppers instead of the CNW's ore car fleet, which were friction bearing.

 

These replaced the C&NW FM baby Trainmasters in ore service.  I used to live right next to the ore line in the mid 70's and had the FM's go by my house all the time.  The FM's were replaced completely within a few days, and it caught me by surprise.  I was always meaning to take a photo of the FM's, but suddenly they were gone.  I learned from that, and I did take numerous pictures of the C-628's, as well as LS&I Alcos and U-boats, Soo Line F units, and M&HM's operating 2-8-0.

Last edited by John23

I have the old video "Alcos Iron Ore and More" that has some footage of the CNW C-628 with that wacky horn. I did get to photograph a couple of them in the U.P. in 1986 but didn't get to hear that horn. 

 

BTW when the first bought them from N&W, at least some of the Alcos were assigned to mainline trains between Duluth-Superior and Omaha.

Henry:

 

Atlas, Weaver and MTH (using the former Weaver tooling) have all released the C628. Atlas' version is by far the most accurate C628. While the screening was modified somewhat from the 630, the Weaver and MTH 628s unfortunately retain the characteristic hump of the C630's radiator housing assembly behind the cab. Not so good.

 

Bob

Last edited by CNJ 3676
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