PRRR's Locomotives
"remember...this is fiction"
The
GP9 High-Hood is primarily used for short runs and smaller consist that are
usually empty. They set out and pick up at certain siding for making of consist
prior to long hauls. All GP9's were purchased from SP&S in 1970 after the BN
merger. The PRRR has 7 GP9's. #330-336. The PRRR/MC GP20's are destined to
replace half of the GP9's in the future.
The
Alco RS3 is one of the few later acquirements from the PRRR to take place. They
are primarily used for yard switching work or moving empty ore cars into loading
position. It is also used to move the track maintenance crews when needed. The
PRRR has only 3 RS3's. #60-62. They will be soon phased out to be replaced by
the GP9.
The
SD40 is the primary "work-horse" of the PRRR. It's main responsibility
is medium freight to large hauls throughout the PRRR's route system. They
are also called upon to assist in ore transfers, but usually hauling empties to
Prosser and Cascade Mine #2. There are 12 SD40-2's. #2170-2181.
There are 14
SD45's, #3100-3113. These are the prime movers of both freight, oil, lumber
products and mining usage. They are also used for pusher duties along the pass.
They normally operate between Hoodoo Pass and Fredrick.
The DD40X is primarily used for hauling large quantities of raw ore from Prosser
Mine to the Mills in Sprague. They are rarely used but once a week for such runs
and usually handle the "back load" from Mt. Cascade on occasion. PRRR
has seriously considered selling these "monsters" due to fuel and
maintenance costs. They are numbered #1001 & #1002. #1001 was formally named
"Big Red".
The
PRRR's F7 A B sets were acquired from Great Northern and Northern Pacific in 1962. They were used for
passenger service in 1963 to 1970. The PRRR used E8's and E9's from 1954 to 1962
and then sold for scrap. There are 7 sets that are numbered from 600 to 606. All
B-Units were numbered according to their respective A-Unit with the letter
"B". After passenger service was replaced by Amtrak in 1970, the PRRR
moth-balled all their F-Units instead of selling them. They are being
refurbished into the newer PRRR Passenger service livery scheme (see pic above)
as the #606 was the first to receive such colors. A few of the F7 sets have been
repainted in the freight service "maroon" colors. See below.
The
PRRR E8 AB was re-purchased from the SC&E metal works. Traction motors and power plant
was either replaced or rebuilt. As the pic above shows, the new PRRR passenger
livery paint job is complete. This locomotive is the only E8 AB Units for the PRRR. It
was previously owned by the PRRR when sold to SC&E in 1969. At one time the
PRRR owned and operated 6 E Units when passenger services begun in 1954. They
were primarily replaced by the F7. This particular E8 will be used for Dinner
Trains and small passenger excursions.
The
6 newly acquired GE C30-7's are the new power that PRRR has been needing for
some time. They will be used for short and long haul freights, but will also be
used for "pushing" duties on the north side of Hoodoo Pass. Normally,
they are never used for mining purposes. Their
number designations are 715-720. These were bought used after the sale of all
the turbines.
The Mt. Cascade RR is a subsidiary of the
PRRR. They run exclusively between the Sprague refinement mill and Prosser. They
have 3 SD45's. They primarily haul ore gondolas between both points. They also
have 5 SD40-2's.
These are the "newer" style F7
AB Freight Operation Service livery. There is only 3 sets: #1440, #1441 and
#1442. Each type units share the same number but are designated by
letters. They are used primarily for freight service. They are used heavily
during fruit (nearby orchards) harvesting season to haul fruit by reefer
(boxcars) to Fredrick where they are shipped to other designations. They are
usually never used for heavier freight and never used for mining purposes. They
are affectionately referred to as: "The Rolling Plumb Limited" or
"Eggplant Express".
Another note: PRRR and MC used to use GP20's, but now have converted to SD24's. They also used to have a few RS18's and Alco C424 & C636's in the 60's.
Mt.
Cascade Alco C424's. These and also the C636's were the main power units for MC
and PRRR until the late 60's and early 70's.
Here
is a pic of the Mt. Cascade Standard Alco C636. These were the only units
painted in gray. These were the prime movers of ore from over the pass to both
Cascadia and Sprague.
Loco's not shown: Alco RSD5, RS18, RS11, U25, SD24, GP50 and GP38.
About Steam: The PRRR never owned steam engines, however they did use them in their early years. Almost all steam engines used before and after 1920 were loaned from GN and NP. The PRRR went to full diesel locomotives in 1945 with their EMD E Units.