The Diesel Shop
Alco-boilt RS2s #301 & 303 enter the yard lead at Owosso, MI with train TO-1 (Toledo-Owosso) in early spring 1982. (Forrest Becht photo)

Michigan Interstate Penn Central's colossal failure in the mid 1970s sparked the northeast railroad crisis and led to a handful of companies becoming designated-operators of bankrupt / financially troubled rail lines. Michigan Interstate which was licensed in 1977 was the D.O. for the Ann Arbor Railroad's line between Toledo and Elberta, Michigan. Here is the place to read more about the AA's Designated Operator. Orinoco Mining Locomotives For September's profile, let's turn the spotlight towards South America and focus on the Orinoco Mining railroad, and its predecessor Ferrominera Orinoco. For more than a half century, Orinoco rail operations have been an important component of the Venezuela economic scene. Today, its diesel powered fleet is predominantly six-axle EMDs. Orinoco Mining Profile. 250th anniversary The roster of diesel and steam locomotives custom-painted and patched to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States currently stands at 75, Another three or four locomotives wearing a special r/w/b attire could also appear before the end of year-long celebration. A year-to-date profile can be seen here.

In the Queue: October -- Michigan's "Dragon Queens" October -- MoPac Motive Power Sampler November -- Omaha 1973 November -- "The Circuit"