QRR 3

 

QRR 3

ALCo/GE 44 tonner

 

Model:  44 Ton

Prime Mover:  two Caterpillar D17000 4-Stroke engines

Builder:  ALCo  General Electric

Horsepower:  190 hp per engine for a total of 380 hp

Built:  August 1945

Operating Weight:  88,000 lbs. (44 Tons)

Builder #:  27819

Length:  33 ft. 5 in.

Status:  Out of service

Maximum Speed: 35 MPH

 

 

 

Additional specifications of interest:

Fuel oil capacity:  250 gallon (US)
Lube oil capacity:  50 gallon (US)
Water capacity:  40 gallon (US)
Tractive effort:  26,400 lbs.

Quincy 3 was the first diesel locomotive used by this little line that connected with the Western Pacific just east of Keddie, California. The Quincy was built in response to the WP bypassing the town of Quincy when the mainline was built.  Quincy is the seat of Plumas County and was the home of Arthur Keddie, the man who first surveyed the route of the WP and advocated its construction.

44 tonner 3 relegated Alco 2-6-2T 2 to stand-by service when it arrived, but the steamer did not leave until 1970, seeing occasional use on excursion trains.  Today, QRR 2 is operational at the Niles Canyon Ry.

The 3 served as the main motive power until S-1 4, ex-WP 504, arrived in 1973.  It was eventually retired and donated by the QRR's owner, Sierra Pacific Industries (as was QRR 4).  The 3 is being returned to full operation.  An interesting fact about the Quincy is that, except for steamer 1, every locomotive the railroad has ever owned still exists.
This engine has never been out of Plumas County since it was delivered to the Quincy in 1945.

Links to Train Sheet articles about QRR 3:
Train Sheet #096, Page 1:  Quincy Railroad #3 Arrives
Train Sheet #088, Page 4:  Equipment Additions