Locomotive 201 departs the Museum

201 on 3 Nov 2021.

Locomotive 201 is an American Locomotive Company ("Alco") model RSD4 diesel-electric locomotive constructed in 1951.  It served Kennecott Copper for more than 30 years and was subsequently donated to the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, WA in 1985.  Although an outstanding example of a first generation road switcher, after the Museum updated its mission and scope of collection it was evident that the 201 no longer belonged in the collection because it was not connected with the history of the Pacific Northwest.  It was deaccessioned in 2004 and later a plan to return it to its original home was developed.

201 on 3 Nov 2021.

On Wednesday, November 3, 2021, the 201 rolled through Snoqualmie for the last time.  Early in the afternoon it was picked up by two huge cranes and set onto an unusually large truck for the journey to Ely, Nevada, and its new home at the Nevada Northern Railway where it originally operated for Kennecott.  The Nevada Northern Railway Foundation arranged to acquire the 201 in a transfer, but had the responsibility for transporting the 201 all the way to Ely.

201 suspended.

Steven Butler's Morton Locomotive had the contract to arrange the move.  IRH of Salt Lake City was selected to haul the 201, and Ness Campbell Crane was hired to pick it up.  The day proceeded smoothly with an almost flawless execution by the contractors, and a rain-free day as a bonus.

Congratulations to the Nevada Northern Railway Foundation and their President Mark Bassett on the most recent addition to their large object collection!

Please enjoy our photo montage:

Snoqualmie Mayor
Matt Larson brought
his grandson to say 
goodbye to the 201.

The Ness Campbell team rigs the 201.

Nevada Northern
Railway Foundation 
President Mark 
Bassett poses with
locomotive 201.

Rigged and ready to lift!

Up she goes!

You'd think it was a 737, and just as heavy, too!

Swinging over the truck.

Nestling down between the girders.

The 201 will be riding on blocks of wood!

The truck, all 250 feet.

Each of 201's trucks rode on a separate semi trailer,
which are really heavy because they include three
500 hp electric traction motors.