ALCO S2 Startup

This ALCO S2 was built in June of 1946 for the Ontario Northland Railway as #1201. It has also served with IMC Agrico (The same company that owned CF7 #204 that they restored) as #201. Eventually, the aging switcher found its way to Conrad Yelvington Distributors, where it was renumbered again to its current number, #251. The Florida Railroad Museum acquired this locomotive in 2018.

The S2 and many other ALCO diesel locomotives use the 539T prime mover. It's a turbocharged 26.14L straight 6 engine, producing 1,000 HP at 740 RPM, with a tractive effort of 57,500 pounds. Likewise, many S2 and RS1 locomotives (The RS1 has a tractive effort of 40,425 pounds) were downgraded to switching duties for rock and aggregate companies, such as Conrad Yelvington. They also operate some ALCOs at their Orlando location, owning RS1 #292 and S2 #238.

[SwindellSteamWorks]

If I may also add another note. Ontario Northland was the only company to order ALCo "S" switchers with angle top cabs while virtually everyone else went with the traditional round top cab. Very interesting to say the least.